The debate over Southeast Saint Paul has reached the State Capitol, creating policy questions for senate dfler breaks ranks, joins in vote to halt official redesign of state flag residents.
By a 34-33 vote, the Senate amended a bill to remove the sole authority of a state emblem redesign commission to approve a new state seal and flag next year.
In an hours-long debate over $1.5 billion in new spending included in an omnibus state government bill, Sen.
John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, joined with 33 Republicans to effectively stop a provision tucked inside HF1830 that would have automatically started the process of redesigning the Minnesota state flag.
Hoffman didn’t speak on the floor during the debate over the provision.
Two of his DFL colleagues — Sens.
Erin Murphy and Mary Kunesh — gave conflicting accounts of whether the provision would give sole and official authority to a commission to create and certify a new state seal and flag, or whether the commission would have to come before the legislature to seek approval of its newly-created designs.
Senate Democrats ultimately approved — on a party-line vote — the overall bill which would increase state government operations by about 40 percent over the next two years.
As the measure advances, residents of Southeast Saint Paul can follow amendments and contact Liz Lee regarding the final language.
Article Source: Alpha News: “Senate DFLer breaks ranks, joins GOP in vote to halt official redesign of state flag”
