LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan House voted Wednesday in favor of proposals to condemn socialism and to require an American flag be displayed in a prominent location in each classroom across the state.

The Republican-controlled House supported the measures, 41 days before the Nov. 3 midterm election. Polling has found that Michigan voters see the economy, the cost of living and inflation as the top issues in the campaigns this year.

The average price of a gallon of gas in Michigan reached $4.84, up 55% from $3.12 a year ago, according to AAA Michigan's tracking data.

Michigan law already generally requires American flags to be placed in classrooms, under legislation that Republican then-Gov. Rick Snyder signed in 2012. But the new bill from state Rep. Matt Maddock, R-Milford, aims to add a size requirement — two feet by three feet — and a standard that the display be prominent.

Maddock argued his proposal would restore "something this country once took for granted." In the 1880s, Maddock said, Civil War veterans started a movement to put a flag in every classroom.

"Some will call it symbolic politics," Maddock said. "I call it education. You can't teach civics without the symbol of what it stands for."

The flag mandate bill passed 76-27, with 26 Democrats and Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, voting against the measure. Seven representatives did not vote.

State Rep. Kelly Breen, D-Novi, was among the opponents. She said Maddock's bill duplicated a requirement that was already on the books.

"Passing redundant legislation doesn't make classrooms more patriotic," Breen said. "It just adds clutter to the School Code and gives the impression that a real problem is being solved when it isn't."

Likewise, Peter Spadafore, executive director of the Michigan Alliance for Student Opportunity, said Maddock's bill is essentially already the law of the state.

"I am not sure which problem this particular bill is trying to solve," Spadafore said.

A separate resolution to condemn socialism, the platform of the Democratic Socialists for America and "politicians who espouse socialist views" passed in a vote of 58-34 with the wide majority of Democrats refusing to vote or voting in opposition.

The resolution was sponsored state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, who is the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor this fall.

"With the recent rise in political candidates self-proclaimed as Democratic Socialists, the Democratic Socialists of America and other activist organizations seek to grow their coalition to undermine the primary principles of this state and country," the resolution said.

"Socialism and communism have repeatedly led to famine and mass murders, and the killing of over 100,000,000 people worldwide," the resolution added.

Rep. Noah Arbit, D-West Bloomfield, voted with majority Republicans in support of the resolution.

Rep. Dylan Wegela, a Garden City Democrat and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, attempted to give a floor speech against the proposal, but majority House Republicans didn't allow him to speak, he said.

Republican lawmakers are trying to tell working-class people that socialism is scary instead of finding ways to help people afford their bills and get money out of politics, Wegela said.

"The reason they wouldn't let me speak is because Democratic Socialists' ideas are popular," Wegela said.

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