Marines and Tea Party activists who want the Gadsden flag to fly at the state Capitol have publicly asked Attorney General Richard Blumenathal to weigh in on the controversy after state Capitol police declined to allow the flag to fly, saying it does not meet the criteria.
Blumenthal this afternoon issued the following statement: "I have no control or authority over flag-flying policies or practices of the legislature, which is a separate and distinct branch of government. Nor do I have authority to issue any formal opinions unless requested by specific state officials -- such as legislative leaders or executive state agency heads, according to state statute. My office has received no request from an authorized official to issue an opinion concerning the state policy for flying flags over the state capitol building. If my office receives a request from an authorized state official to issue a legal opinion on this policy, I will review it and respond appropriately."