PHOENIX — Gov. Katie Hobbs remains free to hang a rainbow flag from her office tower.
Republican Rep. Nick Kupper said he has abandoned his bid to make it illegal to display any but a select list of flags from government buildings.
He had managed to usher his bill through the Republican-controlled House and was attempting to get approval from the Senate Government Committee last week when he concluded it really didn’t matter: It was “clear that Hobbs will veto.’’
Kupper told Capitol Media Services there were probably things he could do to pick up more support for his measure — only two Democrats voted for it — but that it was too late to do further tinkering with the bill this year.
He proposed the legislation after Hobbs, a Democrat, hung a gay pride and transgender rights flag — her press aide calls it a banner — from the balcony of her ninth-floor office at the beginning of Gay Pride Month in June of 2023 and 2024.
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But Kupper insisted Hobbs’ action wasn’t his reason, at least not specifically.
“My bill also bans the Confederate, Nazi and Soviet flags,’’ he argued in a social media post.

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Gov. Katie Hobbs hung four rainbow and transgender pride flags seven floors up, from the balconies of her gubernatorial office suite in June 2023.
What his measure would have done, Kupper said, is permit only the display of flags and banners on public property that were not controversial, which he said would “lower the extreme temperatures on either side of our (political) aisle.’’
The current American flag and any historical version would be allowed. Other permissible flags, according to Kupper, range from the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ state flag to those honoring first responders as well as flags of cities, counties and public universities and community colleges.
The ban in his bill on everything else on “public property’’ drew questions.
One dealt with what happens when people drive their vehicles into government parking lots or garages, and it turns out there’s a flag on the window that’s not on the approved list.
Kupper sought to resolve that issue by adding language saying nothing in his measure would “deny the civil and political liberties of any person as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Constitution of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.â€
Then there was the question of teachers who might display an unpermitted flag on classroom walls, perhaps as part of a lesson. Here, too, Kupper agreed to exempt flags used in “any approved educational curricula.’’
Foes were unconvinced, and getting Hobbs’ signature would have been the ultimate hurdle.
Gubernatorial press aide Christian Slater said Hobbs has higher priorities, such as housing costs and funding for public education, than regulating what banners are and are not appropriate
“Legislative Republicans should join her in that work instead of focusing on ridiculous and superfluous flag bans,’’ Slater said, saying she would have vetoed it.
Kupper said he remains convinced there is a version that could pass gubernatorial muster, given enough time. “I’ll hold it for now so we can have the time to make it the best version we can,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Slater told Capitol Media Services he cannot definitely say whether Hobbs will once again hang out a banner come this June 1.
He did say that if there is a banner, it won’t be the same one as last year.
And, no, it’s not a question of its design.
“It takes quite a beating,’’ hanging in the sun and wind, Slater said. He said if Hobbs intends to act this year, it will be a new banner, one that is donated and not purchased with public funds.
Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, , and Threads at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com.