Lawmaker reworks bill removing flag’s Confederate link

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An Arkansas lawmaker is trying to revive his proposal to remove the Confederate designation from the state flag, introducing a reworked bill after the original plan was rejected.

A House panel on Wednesday tabled the original proposal, which Gov. Asa Hutchinson has endorsed. The panel rejected the bill last week.

Democratic Rep. Charles Blake filed a bill Thursday that would eliminate language in state law that says the blue star above Arkansas’ name on the state flag commemorates the Confederate States of America.

Under the new proposal, the star would represent the United States. The U.S. is currently designated by one of three blue stars beneath the state’s name, but that star would be changed to commemorate Native American nations.

As with the original proposal, the bill wouldn’t change the flag’s design.