The potential Republican commitments would be added to the 45 votes of Democratic caucus. This would put the House within reach of securing a two thirds majority, veto-proof, to change the flag. Following the meeting with Gunn several lawmakers called their colleagues and began whipping votes Monday afternoon. However, some legislators expressed doubt that they could find 30 solid Republican commitments. Gunn advocated for the change of the flag in 2015. However, no House bill to alter the flag has passed the committee during Gunn’s nine years as Speaker. Each year, dozens of bills to alter the state flag are filed in the Senate and the House. However, all of them have been killed in committee. Mississippi lawmakers could alter the state flag today if needed. Here’s how. If the House passed the resolution to alter the flag, it would be sent to the Senate for consideration. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann is the Senate’s president. He stated last year that the fate of the state flag should be decided by the voters and not the Legislature during his campaign. However, several state senators said this week to Mississippi Today that Hosemann, a moderate, who has had close working relationships with the Legislative Black Caucus leaders, might be open for legislative action during this time of protest in Mississippi and across America. If both chambers passed the bill, it would be sent to Gov. Tate Reeves. Reeves evaded questions regarding his personal views about the state flag at a press conference on Monday. Reeves stated, however, that he believes Mississippians should decide the issue at ballot. Reeves stated that there are many people who have been vocal on this issue for a while. “My position hasn’t changed. “My position has not changed. I spent much time telling people in this state that I believe there will be a moment, at some point, when people in Mississippi will want to change their flag. “My position is that when they want that, it should not be some backroom deal made by a bunch of Jackson politicians.” Sources close Monday’s discussions say Gunn informed lawmakers that he wanted to prevent the state flag reaching the ballot. This would have almost certainly sparked a bitter, long-running campaign that would portray Mississippi as a negative place.