Vote "yes" on the Legacy Amendment November 4th

A once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect and restore Minnesota's water resources is on the statewide ballot November 4th. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment would amend the state constitution to provide dedicated funding for 25 years for rivers and lakes, parks and trails, fish and wildlife, and cultural heritage programs.

Funded by a 3/8ths-cent increase in the state sales tax, the amendment would raise an estimated $300 million in its first full year. Revenue would be allocated thusly:

• 33% for water quality
• 33% for wildlife habitat
• 19.75% for arts and cultural resources
• 14.25% for parks and trails

The 33% share for clean water, or about $100 million annually, is roughly equal to the amount needed to fund the state's Clean Water Legacy program. Without new money, the Clean Water Legacy program (which has been funded at a start-up level of approximately $25 million annually in 2008 and 2009) runs out of funding on July 1, 2009. Because the state's financial forecasts project a $2 billion deficit for the 2010-2011 budget cycle, the outlook for new funding is bleak unless voters approve the amendment.

To date, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has been able to test only about 16% of Minnesota's waters. Of those tested, about 40% fail to meet official clean water standards. More than 75 segments of the Mississippi River in Minnesota are classified as "impaired" and fail to meet the standards.

Importantly, the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment sets the new funding aside as dedicated funds, meaning the Governor and Legislature can't designate the money for other purposes.

Casting a ballot on races for president, congress, the state House of Representatives and local posts but not voting on the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment is equivalent to a "no" vote on the proposal. A majority of all voters casting ballots is required to enact the amendment. If you show up at the polls on Election Day and don't vote on the amendment, you're voting "no."

So show up -- vote "yes" for clean water -- and tell your friends to do the same.