Lawmakers are expected to, once again, be faced with the state's most polarizing issue during the upcoming 2018 legislative session. As MPB's Mark Rigsby reports, Governor Phil Bryant hinted at the possibility of allowing the people to vote to keep or change the state flag.
Governor Phil Bryant said during the summer that he believes there's an opportunity to put the state flag issue on a ballot next year for voters, along with items like funding for roads and bridges.
"I think you'll hear a lot of talk about putting that on the ballot, perhaps, along with the state flag. I think it would be a good opportunity to put both of them on the ballot next year and let the people of Mississippi speak with one voice one each of those important issues."
Democratic State Representative Alyce Clarke, of Jackson, says its a good idea. She believes the people would vote to take the flag down.
"All of us know, when the game is over, you don't fly the loser's banner. You run around with the one that won, or you make your own. I think all of us know that's the correct thing to do."
Republican State Representative Richard Bennett, of Long Beach, says he has no problem with putting the flag issue on the ballot, but he wouldn't vote to do so.
"We vote on issues and we move on. If you keep bringing them back up, is that fair? I just hate keep bringing it back up and rehashing it."
The 2018 Mississippi Legislative Session starts Tuesday, January 2nd at the state capitol.
