MN Cities Could Lose State Aid For Flying Old State Flag

MINNESOTA — Cities and counties that fly Minnesota's old state flag could lose some state aid under a new bill introduced at the Capitol.

The proposal, introduced Monday by DFL lawmakers, would reduce local government aid or county program aid by 10 percent for any city or county that flies or otherwise uses a state flag other than the current design certified by Minnesota's State Emblems Redesign Commission.

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The bill comes as several Minnesota cities have moved to bring back the state's old flag at city-owned buildings, including Inver Grove Heights, where the City Council approved a resolution Monday to fly the 1983 flag.

The old Minnesota flag was replaced in 2024 after a statewide redesign process. Supporters of the change said the old design was cluttered and included imagery that many Native Americans found offensive.

Critics of the new flag have argued the redesign process moved too quickly and left many Minnesotans feeling disconnected from the final result.

The proposal would apply to aid payments made after Dec. 31, 2025. It was referred to the House Taxes Committee after being introduced.

House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican, told FOX 9 that the bill has "no path forward."