Barber Pole Battle Returns To Minn. Capitol

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota is closer to legally reserving those swirling red, white and blue cylinders for licensed barbershops.

A clause in a giant House budget bill would make it illegal to display a barber pole without a barber's license. The measure was on the table last year but didn't advance. At least 10 states have similar restrictions.

The poles carry centuries-old symbolism. The red signifies blood, the white stands for bandages and the blue represents veins.

Barbers have argued that they alone should get to use the logo because they offer different services than beauty parlors and other hair establishments. Cosmetologists regard the protective efforts to be chauvinist.

The House Jobs and Economic Development Committee planned to debate the underlying bill Thursday with a vote no later than Friday.

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