ST. PAUL, Minn. – A bill to create a commission to redesign the Minnesota state flag passed taMinnesota House committee 8-5 and next goes to the House. The 14-member commission would include legislators and citizens appointed by the governor, including representative ethnic and indigenous constituencies. What’s wrong with the current flag? Just ask state representatives Mike Freiberg, D-Golden Valley, and Peter Fischer, D-Maplewood, who are sponsoring the redesign legislation. They’ll tell you it’s mostly the cluttered, muddled and confused state seal, which dominates the flag. It’s also racially offensive. The seal goes back to 1893. Here’s what critics say:

> The seal-centric flag mimics 19 other blue state flags with a state seal and says nothing distinctive about Minnesota at a glance.

> The seal depicts a white settler tilling soil front and center with a Native American on a horse in the background, riding west into the sunset.

> The seal is cluttered with so many colors that befuddles an enduring message.

The seal was modified in 1957 but only to uncomplicate the sewing in manufacture. Critics note hat the North American Vexillological Association has ranked Minnesota 67th out of 72 U.S. and Canadian state and provincial flags.