Gov. Maura Healey said Wednesday that she supports the commission that’s considering changes to Massachusetts’ flag and seal, but also suggested that she doesn’t think changes will happen soon.
The Massachusetts Seal, Flag and Motto Advisory Commission unveiled the top three finalists in each category in late August after receiving more than 1,150 public design ideas. The commission is slated to hold six public hearings in September and October to continue the process.
The two Republicans vying to challenge Healey in next year’s election in recent weeks have cemented their support for the existing flag and motto. The governor laughed when asked at an unrelated press conference Wednesday whether she supports changing the state flag and seal.
“The state flag and seal?” she asked.
“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 said while at 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.”
Informed that the commission had already made recommendations, Healey said she thinks “there’s going to be more discussion” ahead.
“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 said. “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, looking behind her at a state flag, “I’ll continue to be here and that flag will continue to be here.”
Once the advisory commission selects a new state motto and new designs for the seal and flag, the law 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 about the issue on Sept. 9. “When I’m elected Governor, we’ll keep the Massachusetts flag and our historic motto,” he wrote.