Interesting. In Alaska, when a local or state figure dies the Alaska State flag is lowered. Only if the loss is a national one do they lower the federal one, and then they usually lower the state flag also.

On 9/11 I called the governor's office twice asking why the flags were not at half staff, that surely it was called for, especially since we are four hours behind the American east coast and the hijacks had happened hours before. The second time they found someone who told me that the governor always waits until the President proclaims the states' response.