Voters becoming acquainted with proposed legacy amendment

Despite taking 10 years to clear the Minnesota Legislature before being placed on this November's statewide ballot, commentators are guessing that less than half of eligible voters are even aware of a proposed state constitutional amendment to earmark funding for clean water, conservation, and the arts.

The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment would help the state meet an estimated need of $100 million annually over the next 10 years for the Clean Water Legacy program, which will help monitor and clean up Minnesota's thousands of polluted lakes and river reaches. Additional funds would be earmarked for parks and trails and fish and wildlife habitat. About 80% of money raised by the amendment through a three-eights cent sales tax increase would go to environmental and natural resource purposes.

The amendment comes as the share of the state's general budget devoted to conservation lingers near a 30-year low of only 1%. Without the amendment, the state will run out of money for Clean Water Legacy next July 1.

Friends of the Mississippi River has endorsed the Vote Yes campaign and is working to remind its members, volunteers and friends to be sure to Vote Yes on November 4. Please tell your friends, colleagues and relatives how important this measure is to the future health of the Mississippi River and Minnesota's natural environment. And remember, if you leave the constitutional amendment question on the ballot unmarked that is counted as a "NO" vote. Please Vote Yes!

More information about the amendment is available at www.yesformn.org.