New Flag Old Flag Controversy

The debate over the new Minnesota state flag versus the old one is big business for some flag stores.

Lee Herold of Herold Flags in Rochester says the 1983 flag with the state seal on it was never popular but that is not true today.

He says, “we’re probably selling in a month ,pretty close to what we would sell in a year.” Herold says some customers said they wanted the loon on the new flag, which is on the new state seal.

The 2024 state flag has a Navy Minnesota-shaped emblem, with a north star inside it, and light blue representing water.

Several Minnesota cities are flying the 1983 Minnesota state flag rather than the new one, including Plainview and Zumbrota.

 A state House bill introduced Monday by Democrats would financially penalize Minnesota counties and cities that choose not to fly the redesigned state flag.

The proposal calls for a 10% reduction in state governmental aid to a county or city that uses a state flag with a design different than the certified design approved by the State Emblems Redesign Commission.