Only two years after having a forecast budget surplus of $18 billion, Minnesota’s state government is, according to its February 2024 Budget and Economic Forecast, looking at a budget deficit — or “Structural [im]Balance” — of $1.5 billion in the biennium FY 2026-27. At the same time, we have noted that the redesign and replacement of Minnesota’s flag and seal — a move desired by almost nobody in the state — is costing Minnesota’s state and local agencies millions of dollars.
So, as we look to fill the approaching hole in our state budget, here is an idea. The bill which “establishe[d] a State Emblems Redesign Commission to design and adopt a new state seal and a new state flag for Minnesota, to be effective May 11, 2024” — H.F. 274 — reads:
This section [4] also provides a phase-out period for use of expendable material by state agencies that include the current seal design: these materials may be used until supply is exhausted, or until January 1, 2025, whichever occurs first.
There are, of course, flags and uniforms and the like all over Minnesota bearing the old seal which will be perfectly serviceable after January 1, 2025: Why waste money getting rid of them? Instead, the legislature should commit to amending the relevant legislation to say that “these materials may be used until supply is exhausted,” striking out the deadline of January 1, 2025.
This whole exercise is a massive waste of money to appease a few activists. Let us, at least, limit the amount of taxpayer’s money dedicated to that appeasement.