Healey: ‘That flag will continue to be here’

Gov. Maura Healey mentioned Wednesday that she helps the fee that’s contemplating modifications to the state flag and seal, but in addition recommended that she doesn’t assume modifications will occur quickly.

The Massachusetts Seal, Flag and Motto Advisory Fee unveiled the highest three finalists in every class in late August after receiving greater than 1,150 public design concepts. The fee is slated to carry six public hearings in September and October to proceed the method.

The 2 Republicans vying to problem Healey in subsequent yr’s election in latest weeks have cemented their help for the prevailing flag and motto. The governor laughed when requested at an unrelated press convention Wednesday whether or not she helps altering the state flag and seal.

“The state flag and seal?” she requested.

“Look. I don’t mean to laugh. But of everything that’s going on right now — I support that there was a legislative commission to look at this,” Healey mentioned whereas on the podium. “The Legislature passed a law, a commission to look at all this. So I think it’s a — sure, have a look at it, and I’m sure there’ll be discussion, you know, over the ensuing time and years.”

Knowledgeable that the fee had already made suggestions, Healey mentioned she thinks “there’s going to be more discussion” forward.

“I’m focused on a bunch of stuff — public health that we’re talking about today, building more homes, driving down housing costs, right? Bringing more energy into the region so we can lower people’s energy bills. We’ve got, you know, ongoing issues with ICE in our communities,” Healey mentioned. “These are the things that I’m focused on. So I appreciate interest or endeavors by others with that look.”

“But until, you know, further discussions and recommendations,” Healey added, trying behind her at a state flag, “I’ll continue to be here and that flag will continue to be here.”

Boston Herald readers overwhelmingly help sticking with the present state flag design. In an early September Herald on-line ballot, greater than 80% of readers favored no change out of the roughly 900 responses.

As soon as the advisory fee selects a brand new state motto and new designs for the seal and flag, the legislation that created it requires the governor to “submit legislation to the general court to amend relevant sections of the General Laws to codify the new state motto and designs for the seal and flag.”

GOP candidate Brian Shortsleeve posted on social media in early September, “I’m against creating a new state flag, I especially love our motto: ‘by the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty.’” Mike Kennealey posted concerning the subject on Sept. 9. “When I’m elected Governor, we’ll keep the Massachusetts flag and our historic motto,” he wrote.

– Ella Adams / State Home Information Service