Leaders in the Senate and House did not feel they had enough votes Monday to change the flag or place the issue on the November ballot. The 2020 legislative session will be ended by lawmakers on Friday. Hairston is among several business leaders who have called on lawmakers to change the state’s flag. Hairston is one of the biggest individual campaign donors to Governor. Tate Reeves appointed Hairston to Reeves’ “Restart Mississippi” commission earlier in the year. Former Govs had previously appointed him to state commissions. Haley Barbour, Phil Bryant. He stated that the state flag was already a barrier to the state’s ability attract businesses. Hairston stated that employers view our state as a great place to locate all or part their workforce. However, they are all aware of the flag’s potential danger to flying after so many years. “Every business leader involved with economic development has had to defend the state from the image created by the flag.” Mississippi Today asked Hairston about his views on the flag. Here is the transcript of the interview. Mississippi Today: Do Mississippi’s flag need to be changed? John Hairston: There is so much to be proud about. Now is the time to put your focus on the things that unify us, and let history decide what divides us. Mississippi Today: Will the current state flag affect your bank’s ability attract and secure business from out-of-state? Hairston: Yes, absolutely. Mississippi boasts a strong and improving public education system, improved health care, high-performing workforce education utility, an abundant quality of life and low living costs. While employers see Mississippi as a great place to locate all or part their workforce, they are also very sensitive to the flag’s potential to still be flying after so many years. Everyone involved in economic development has had to defend the flag’s image. This is the biggest obstacle we face in recruiting Mississippi executives. Before we can get to the compensation and the job, we must first get over the flag. While Mississippi has made significant progress in many areas, almost every key indicator of economic health has been below that of neighboring southeast states, such as Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. We have passed the time to change the flag and move on to creating opportunities for our citizens. Mississippi has all the ingredients for a strong and impressive economy. But we cannot compete with other regions if we are divided and have one arm tied behind our back. Change the flag, then use that decision to show Mississippi’s progress. Mississippi Today: Should leaders send the issue to voters or should they make the decision? Are you concerned about the impact a long campaign could have on the state’s finances? Hairston: I believe that the Legislature and all statewide leaders must unite to make the changes now. We will be celebrating the day we win the election with the whole world. Every major network will cover the issue if it goes to the polls. Every business that is considering moving here will stop, as they don’t want to risk the possibility of losing their location. What happens if the vote results are narrowly won or lost? What does this mean for our people? There is too much goodness in Mississippi for us to risk it. I support the legislature’s immediate action and let’s end this decades-long problem. Mississippi Today: Do you think timing is an issue? It is likely that the sooner you make a change, the better it will be for your business.