Southeast Minnesota County Board Passes Resolution Opposing New State Flag & Seal

Caledonia, MN (KROC-AM News)- A county in southeastern Minnesota has become at least the second to formally signal their opposition to the state’s new flag and seal. 

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Minnesota’s new state flag and seal was adopted last month. The new design for the state’s flag and seal was formally submitted to the state legislature on Jan. 1. 

Earlier this month the Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a resolution opposing the new flag and seal. 

Last week, commissioners in southeast Minnesota’s Houston County joined their Crow Wing County counterparts in formally declaring their opposition to the new flag and seal. 

The resolution, which passed at a Houston County Board of Commissioners Meeting last week, reads in part,

The official state flag and seal are not only symbols of our state, but also of our history and both the current official state flag and official state seal contain historical information on our farming background, Native American heritage and the coexistence that is part of the rich history of our state.

 

- Houston County Board of Commissioners agenda

The agenda item also cites the cost associated with updating sheriff’s deputy’s badges and seals in courtrooms and county board rooms across the state, saying, “the substantial public cost associated with making this change that does not advance the public interest.” 

The passed resolution also described the public’s reaction to the design as “overwhelmingly negative.” 

The resolution calls on Houston County’s representation in the state legislature and Gov. Tim Walz to reject the new design and to retain the existing state seal and flag. 

The new flag and seal are on track to become official on April 1 unless state lawmakers reject the redesigns before that date.

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