JANUARY 24, 2025 — A Pennsylvania state legislator is calling for a redesign of the state flag, arguing that the current design fails to stand out among other state flags and does not adhere to modern principles of good flag design, report WGAL and patch.com.
Representative Joe Webster, a Democrat from Montgomery County, is spearheading the initiative through proposed legislation to establish a Pennsylvania State Flag Commission.
The existing flag, in use since 1907, features a blue field with the state coat of arms at its center. The coat of arms includes symbols of agriculture and commerce, such as a ship, a plow, and wheat sheaves, alongside the state motto, “Virtue, Liberty, and Independence.”
While the flag has represented the Commonwealth for over a century, Webster believes it is time for a change. “Pennsylvania’s flag should be recognizable and functional as a symbol of the Commonwealth,” he said in a memorandum published Tuesday, January 21.
Webster’s proposal seeks to modernize the flag in line with guidelines from the North American Vexillological Association, which emphasizes simplicity, meaningful symbolism, and the use of no more than three colors while avoiding lettering or seals.
“The Pennsylvania state flag does not embrace these principles,” Webster stated in the memorandum. He explained to the WGAL that “you would pick out Texas, California, or Maryland immediately. Pennsylvania’s flag gets lost among the others.”
The state lawmaker’s plan involves creating a commission that would study the history of the current flag, solicit public design submissions, and ultimately recommend a new design.
Webster has pointed to Pennsylvania’s historical nickname, the “Keystone State,” as a potential focal point for the redesign.
He also highlighted other iconic symbols, such as Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell and Pittsburgh’s industrial legacy, as possible sources of inspiration.
The current design has its roots in the colonial era, with elements of the coat of arms adopted in 1778. The General Assembly formally standardized the flag in 1907, requiring the blue background to match the shade used in the U.S. flag.
Webster’s effort to change the flag is not his first; a similar initiative in 2023 failed to gain traction. This time, he is aiming for the redesign to be completed by 2026 to coincide with America’s 250th birthday.
“It’s an opportunity to brand ourselves, to talk about what the future could be,” Webster said.
However, the timeline for the resolution to reach the House floor remains uncertain.
