ST. PAUL – State Rep. Scott Van Binsbergen, R-Montevideo, said he opposes a House Democrat bill that reduces state funding to cities and counties that choose to fly the old state flag instead of the new version.
The bill (H.F. 5077) comes at a time when numerous local governments have chosen to fly the customary 1983 version instead of the one developed by a commission Democrats in full control of the Capitol selected in 2023 to redesign Minnesota’s flag and seal. The proposed measure would reduce local government aid by 10 percent for entities choosing to display any other flag than the one that became official in 2024.
Van Binsbergen said LGA is a key source of state funding for local governments – helping communities pay for essential services such as police and fire departments – making this a significant financial penalty for noncompliance.
“It’s hard to believe House Democrats are threatening to cut funding that supports critical services just because some communities may want to fly the old flag,” Van Binsbergen said. “A lot of people look at the new flag, question its inspiration and would rather go with the old flag. I would like to go back to the old flag myself, but there is something larger at stake here than a piece of fabric. I oppose this bill because Minnesotans should be free to recognize and honor the state’s history without facing retaliation from Big Brother.”
While the commission ultimately selected the new design, Van Binsbergen said it was not directly approved by voters or the legislature. Instead, the enabling law specified that the commission’s final choice would automatically become the official state flag on May 11, 2024.
Since then, the design has faced resistance from some residents and local governments, with several cities – including Champlin, Zumbrota, Elk River and Inver Grove Heights – opting to continue flying the former flag on public property. Current state law does not require local governments to display the official flag.
Apart from Republicans opposing the bill in a tied House, Van Binsbergen said the measure also faces procedural hurdles because it was introduced after this year’s key legislative deadlines had passed. It also does not yet have a companion bill in the Senate.
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