Flag Votes

The fate of the state flag continues to be a key issue for lawmakers and everyone around the state.

The fate of the state flag continues to be a key issue for lawmakers and everyone around the state.

Quentin smith is in jackson and joins us live from the state capitol.

So quentin what is the biggest hold up?

Joey, before a decision can be made to take down the flag, legislatures first have to suspend the rules.

In order to suspend the rules to take down the flag, there must be a two-thirds vote in both the house and senate.

When you break it down, that's 81 votes that'll need to come out of the house, and 34 that'll need to come out of the senate.

Right now both the house and senate are short a few votes which at this time....prevents any action from being taken.

The confederate emblem is what's causing the controversy surrounding the flag.

Religious groups, economic developers, and the states universities are all lobbying for state leaders to remove the flag.

State lawmaker i spoke with all agree the state flag needs to come down.

However, they have mixed views on who should be in charge of making the decision to have it changed.

No text available ... i was trying to get this way seems like a court to casting a vote people they take in other ... and a governor tate reeves issued a statement saying if lawmakers are able to get the two-thirds vote to change the rules to have the flag removed, he would not veto the bill.

Legislatures will gather again tomorrow morning, at this time it's uncertain if they'll discuss the removal of the state flag.

Lawmakers spoke with say the believe saturday is the day they'll have all the votes in, and they believe saturday is when a decision could be made on whether the flag comes down.

That's the very latest from the state capitol.

Quentin smith.

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