What if one state could have two flag? Well, that is one piece of legislation proposed by Speaker Pro-Tem Greg Snowden (R) in regards to changing the state flag. He came up with a bill to compromise the old and possibly a new state flag with House Bill 1275.
This legislation essentially said that Mississippi could have two official state flags, both used together at the same time. The current state flag shows the confederate flag, which has been the center of controversy most recently in the state and across the U.S. The other proposed flag would be the Mississippi Magnolia Flag.
The Mississippi Magnolia Flag was the official state flag from 1861-1865 before being replaced.
From the bill:
” TO 2 PROVIDE THAT THE HISTORICAL MAGNOLIA FLAG WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL 3 DESIGN OF THE OFFICIAL STATE FLAG; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH OF THE 4 DESIGNS OF THE OFFICIAL FLAG WILL BE OF EQUAL STATUS AND DIGNITY 5 IN REPRESENTING THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AND EACH DESIGN MAY BE 6 FLOWN INDIVIDUALLY AS THE OFFICIAL FLAG OR THEY MAY BE FLOWN 7 TOGETHER; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.”
Many lawmakers including Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves continue to to take the stance that only the people of Mississippi should be allowed the right to vote to keep or remove the current state flag.
Popular political site, Y’all Politics has gone on record to say that the current flag should be repealed, however this seems to be an amicable solution.
The bill has been referred to the Rules Committee.
But that isn’t the only one. there were 21 other bills drafted by lawmakers to change the flag. Rep. John Hines and Sen. John Horhn filed bills that would let the voters decide using a statewide ballot in November of 2017 and 2018.
The last time the flag was voted on was in 2001, in which Mississippians decided by a land slide to continue flying the current state flag.
All bills regarding flag changes must be filed by Tuesday.
