Latest news with #H.B.77
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Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Two US cities find loophole around Pride and Juneteenth flag bans. What to know
Two progressive U.S. cities in red states found a new way around state laws banning Pride and Juneteenth flags from being flown on government property. The cities simply incorporated the flags' designs into official city flags so the flags can legally be flown on city property. In Idaho, Boise's city council approved two new flags Tuesday, May 6, the Idaho Statesman reported. One of the flags is the rainbow LGBTQ+ Pride flag and the other is the National Donate Life Month banner. 'The Legislature earlier this year banned most flags from flying on government property, but left an exception for 'the official flag of a governmental entity,'' the outlet reported. Five council members voted in favor of the move 'saying that everyone was welcome and safe in Boise,' while one voted no, saying 'she felt the city had to uphold the law and that constituents didn't want the change,' the outlet reported. In Utah, Salt Lake City took a similar measure, adopting the LGBTQ+ Pride flag, the transgender pride flag and the Juneteenth flag as official city flags with the city's logo of a Sego Lily in the upper lefthand corner on the flags, KSTU reported. The unanimous move brings the city under code with the H.B. 77 flag bill, which went into effect Wednesday, May 7, KTVX reported. The law restricts certain flags from flying on government property besides the U.S. flag, the Utah state flag, 'flags of other countries, states, or cities,' college and university flags, military flags, Native American tribe flags, the National League of Families POW/MIA flag, Olympic flags and public school flags, the outlet reported. The official flags adopted by the city were named to reflect the causes behind them, the outlet reported. 'The Sego Celebration Flag, representing the history of Juneteenth and the City's Black and African American residents; The Sego Belonging Flag, representing the City's LGBTQIA residents and broader acceptance of this community; and The Sego Visibility Flag, representing the City's transgender residents and a commitment to seeing and celebrating their lives,' the outlet reported.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City, Boise seek to skirt laws banning Pride flags by adopting them as city emblems
SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) – The Democratic-controlled cities of Salt Lake City and Boise adopted new city flags this week showing support for LGBTQ+ people in defiance of their respective states' Republican-controlled legislatures, which have banned traditional rainbow pride flags at schools and government buildings. 'Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City's values,' Mayor Erin Mendenhall said. 'I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value diversity, equity, and inclusion — leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together.' The Salt Lake City Council had voted to approve the addition of three new city flags that feature LGBTQ+ and Juneteenth designs at a meeting late Tuesday evening. This meeting was called to bring the city under code with the recently passed H.B. 77 flag bill, which allows the display of only 'certain flags on government property.' The measure — which aims to sidestep such violations by adopting the new flags as official city flags — passed unanimously. House votes to overturn California clean truck rules – defying internal watchdog Under the Utah law, which went into effect Wednesday, state or local government buildings can be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than the U.S. flag, the state flag, a city or county flag, military flags, Olympic and Paralympic flags, official college flags or tribal flags. Political flags are not allowed. It is currently unclear if Salt Lake City will face any litigation due to the passage of its three new flags, which commemorate Juneteenth and acknowledge the city's LGBTQ+ residents and transgender community. According to H.B. 77, the State Auditor's Office is tasked with the enforcement of the flag ban. Idaho's flag ban, meanwhile, took effect April 3, barring government buildings from displaying any flags except those on a short list including the U.S. flag, flags of military branches and official flags of government entities. A separate ban containing some exemptions for school buildings takes effect July 1. The pride flag has regularly flown over Boise's City Hall for years, and Mayor Lauren McLean kept the flag aloft even after Idaho's law took effect. McLean said she believed the law was unenforceable. Last week, McLean responded to the Idaho law by issuing a proclamation retroactively making the pride flag an official city flag, along with a flag honoring organ donors. It allowed both to be flown alongside Boise's traditional blue flag featuring the Capitol building and the slogan 'City of Trees.' The city council voted 5 to 1 for the proclamation during a packed and sometimes rowdy meeting Tuesday night. 'Removing the flag now after years of flying it proudly would not be a neutral act,' said council member Meredith Stead. 'It would signal a retreat from values we've long upheld and send a disheartening message to those who have found affirmation and belonging through its presence at city hall.' Florida seeks to enforce a law making it a crime for people in the US illegally to enter the state Both Salt Lake City and Boise's actions have already faced criticism from Republican lawmakers in each state. Utah State Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton), the bill's sponsor, took to X and said, 'Does Salt Lake City really want to play these games? Good luck!' And the bill's state Senate sponsor, Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton), also needled Mendenhall by posting edited pictures of flags representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Israel and 'MAGA Country,' claiming that she should adopt these flags, too, if she truly wants her constituents to feel 'seen.' Idaho State Sen. Tammy Nichols also claimed 'there will be consequences' for Boise in a post on X. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador also recently warned he would ask lawmakers to add a mechanism in the 2026 legislative session to enforce the state's new ban. Other Idaho communities are also grappling with the restriction. City buildings in Bonners Ferry, roughly 30 miles from the Canadian border, have long flown Canada's flag in a sign of cross-border friendship, removing it only in April after Idaho's governor approved the flag restriction. But the law contains an exception that allows government entities to fly the flags of other countries during 'special occasions.' Seeking to again fly the flag year-round, the Bonners Ferry City Council passed a resolution Tuesday designating every day of the year a 'special occasion' to commemorate friendship with Canada. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
08-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Salt Lake City, Boise seek to skirt laws banning Pride flags by adopting them as city emblems
SALT LAKE CITY (KTVX) – The Democratic-controlled cities of Salt Lake City and Boise adopted new city flags this week showing support for LGBTQ+ people in defiance of their respective states' Republican-controlled legislatures, which have banned traditional rainbow pride flags at schools and government buildings. 'Our City flags are powerful symbols representing Salt Lake City's values,' Mayor Erin Mendenhall said. 'I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value diversity, equity, and inclusion — leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together.' The Salt Lake City Council had voted to approve the addition of three new city flags that feature LGBTQ+ and Juneteenth designs at a meeting late Tuesday evening. This meeting was called to bring the city under code with the recently passed H.B. 77 flag bill, which allows the display of only 'certain flags on government property.' The measure — which aims to sidestep such violations by adopting the new flags as official city flags — passed unanimously. Under the Utah law, which went into effect Wednesday, state or local government buildings can be fined $500 a day for flying any flag other than the U.S. flag, the state flag, a city or county flag, military flags, Olympic and Paralympic flags, official college flags or tribal flags. Political flags are not allowed. It is currently unclear if Salt Lake City will face any litigation due to the passage of its three new flags, which commemorate Juneteenth and acknowledge the city's LGBTQ+ residents and transgender community. According to H.B. 77, the State Auditor's Office is tasked with the enforcement of the flag ban. Idaho's flag ban, meanwhile, took effect April 3, barring government buildings from displaying any flags except those on a short list including the U.S. flag, flags of military branches and official flags of government entities. A separate ban containing some exemptions for school buildings takes effect July 1. The pride flag has regularly flown over Boise's City Hall for years, and Mayor Lauren McLean kept the flag aloft even after Idaho's law took effect. McLean said she believed the law was unenforceable. Last week, McLean responded to the Idaho law by issuing a proclamation retroactively making the pride flag an official city flag, along with a flag honoring organ donors. It allowed both to be flown alongside Boise's traditional blue flag featuring the Capitol building and the slogan 'City of Trees.' The city council voted 5 to 1 for the proclamation during a packed and sometimes rowdy meeting Tuesday night. 'Removing the flag now after years of flying it proudly would not be a neutral act,' said council member Meredith Stead. 'It would signal a retreat from values we've long upheld and send a disheartening message to those who have found affirmation and belonging through its presence at city hall.' Both Salt Lake City and Boise's actions have already faced criticism from Republican lawmakers in each state. Utah State Rep. Trevor Lee (R-Layton), the bill's sponsor, took to X and said, 'Does Salt Lake City really want to play these games? Good luck!' And the bill's state Senate sponsor, Sen. Dan McCay (R-Riverton), also needled Mendenhall by posting edited pictures of flags representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Israel and 'MAGA Country,' claiming that she should adopt these flags, too, if she truly wants her constituents to feel 'seen.' Idaho State Sen. Tammy Nichols also claimed 'there will be consequences' for Boise in a post on X. Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador also recently warned he would ask lawmakers to add a mechanism in the 2026 legislative session to enforce the state's new ban. Other Idaho communities are also grappling with the restriction. City buildings in Bonners Ferry, roughly 30 miles from the Canadian border, have long flown Canada's flag in a sign of cross-border friendship, removing it only in April after Idaho's governor approved the flag restriction. But the law contains an exception that allows government entities to fly the flags of other countries during 'special occasions.' Seeking to again fly the flag year-round, the Bonners Ferry City Council passed a resolution Tuesday designating every day of the year a 'special occasion' to commemorate friendship with Canada. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Bye Felicia?': Salt Lake City not elaborating on report claiming Sundance may leave over pride flag bill
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Debate over whether the Sundance Film Festival will stay in Utah is heating up after a new report from Deadline claimed that the festival is in jeopardy of leaving Utah over a recent bill barring pride flags on schools and government property. The Deadline report says the festival's concerns were discussed in a meeting held between Salt Lake City leaders and members of the festival's selection committee Tuesday. Local leaders confirmed the meeting took place but wouldn't specify what was discussed. What Utah is doing to try to keep the Sundance Film Festival 'What are they thinking?' a Sundance insider told Deadline about passing H.B.77. 'Utah is Utah, but this goes to the heart of the community Sundance has worked years and years to develop,' the insider reportedly said. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall told ABC4 that 'there is not a state in this nation where inclusivity, diversity, and empathy aren't under attack,' adding that 'everyone has a role in standing up for those values.' 'Salt Lake City will never stop supporting our neighbors, including the lgbtqia community, and Sundance is an incredible partner in that support. The power of amplifying voices and creating change through art is needed now more than ever in this ongoing work,' Mendenhall said. Seemingly at the center of this is H.B. 77, which awaits Gov. Spencer Cox's signature or veto. The bill prohibits the display of pride flags in classrooms and government buildings. The bill's House Sponsor, Trevor Lee (R – West Jordan), didn't mince words on Sundance's reported concerns about the bill. 'A pathetic excuse in my opinion,' he said. 'This bill makes flags politically neutral on taxpayer-funded entities, not private, not businesses, those groups can still do whatever they want.' The bill's Senate Sponsor, Daniel McCay (R – Riverton), took to social media with his thoughts, sharing the deadline article with the caption, 'Bye Felicia.' 'Sundance promotes porn, Sundance promotes alternative lifestyles, Sundance promotes anti-lds themes,' McCay wrote. 'Sundance does not fit in Utah anymore.' But not every Republican lawmaker agrees. Just over a week ago, Senate President Stuart Adams (R – Layton) — one of the state's top GOP leaders — told ABC4 that he wants to keep Sundance in Utah. He said that's why lawmakers allocated $3.5 million, the amount the festival organizers requested, to support the film festival. 'I'm very clear. I want Sundance to stay,' Adams said. 'I've expressed that to them. I think many people have. I don't think they'll have the same notoriety if they leave Utah.' Lee said he doesn't care if Sundance leaves. 'It's just not a good representation of what Utah is and what our values espouse in the film industry that they push there, and for that side of it, I would be okay if they left Utah,' Lee said. 'As it pertains to the business and economics side, I mean, I really do believe we'll do fine without them.' Sundance's decision is expected in early spring. ABC4 reached out to festival organizers for comment but did not hear back by the time of publishing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
