Feedback on the new flag; local charities at risk
By: Senator John Jasinski
Over the last few weeks, I have received a tidal wave of feedback about the new state flag and seal designs. Constituents have called and emailed. Folks around the district have shared thoughts in person. The reaction has been overwhelmingly opposed.
Many took issue with the designs themselves. I heard a lot of questioning why we need new symbols in the first place. I heard a lot of lamenting the blandness and soullessness of the new flag. I have heard criticisms around the removal of the year of Minnesota’ founding and the inclusion of the state motto in the Dakota language – which seems to be in clear violation of state law.
Aside from the merits of the new designs, the process itself was an incredibly disappointing waste of taxpayer money, with insufficient public input. And to make matters worse, Democrats did not include a mechanism for citizens, or the legislature, to approve or reject the commission’s final choices. This lack of accountability is probably why the new symbols fail to appropriately or strongly represent our state and shared history.
Changes to something as important as the state flag and seal should require broad support and engagement from Minnesotans. That did not occur here. Instead, the decisions were made almost entirely by a small, unelected commission. Everyday Minnesotans had scarcely an opportunity to get involved.
Moreover, the legislature should have played a much larger role. We represent the public’s interests and we are their strongest form of government accountability. Our involvement is the public’s involvement. That was missing.
Finally, more discussion should have focused on the price tag. State and local agencies must now replace flags and seals across the board, likely running up expensive bills to be footed by their taxpayers. For example, the Hennepin County Sheriff estimates costs could exceed $500,000 just for that department.
These are not trivial decisions. Unfortunately, the commission barreled ahead without any broad feedback or public buy-in. The result is a new flag and a new seal design that Minnesotans reject.
So what happens next? There is no final approval required for the flag, so unless the legislature takes proactive action to reverse the commission’s decisions, the new flag and seal will become official on May 11, 2024 – Minnesota’s statehood day.
Saving local charities
I have also been getting a lot of feedback on changes that Democrats made to e-pulltabs last session. You will recall that last year’s final tax bill agreement included a provision that eliminates the “open-all” or “all swipe” feature on e-pull tabs starting in 2025.
If we don’t fix it, the change will have a devastating impact on community organizations like local charities, youth sports groups, VFW posts, American Legion halls, and hospitality businesses across Minnesota. These groups heavily depend on e-pull tab funding to pay for their community-oriented activities, events, and services. Virtually every local charitable group in cities and towns statewide has stressed that eliminating the open-all option will be extremely damaging to their ability to raise money.
The outcry has been strong across the state. I am hopeful that Democrats will listen to these very serious concerns from the public and help us save our local charities.
Contact me:
If you have any questions about any issues we are working on at the legislature, feel free to contact me any time at sen.john.jasinski@mnsenate.gov or 651-296-0284.
And you can always get the latest news from St. Paul on my Facebook page at fb.com/SenatorJohnJasinski.
It is a privilege to serve you!