The Minnesota legislative session started last week.
The Minnesota Monitor reports on the Great Outdoors & Heritage Amendment, which would dedicate sales tax funding for environmental, arts and cultural programs. The bill was discussed in the 2007 session, but not voted on.
On Valentine’s Day, the House and Senate both passed this bill, which asks voters to decide in November on a constitutional amendment to create a new 3/8 percent sales tax to protect drinking water sources, restore wildlife habitat, pay for parks and trails, and support arts and cultural programs around the state. The governor doesn’t need to sign the bill, so the decision is now in our hands instead of an elected official’s. In the coming months expect to start seeing advertising from arts, outdoors and environmental groups asking you to vote yes.
Let me be the first to tell you: Vote Yes on 2285!
The percentage of the dedicated funding to be dedicated to arts and culture is 19.75, which will probably amount to $54.5 million a year.
Check on other bills pending related to Minnesota history museums at MAHLM’s legislative update page or the MHS’s page, or go straight to the source at the Minnesota House’s Heritage Finance Committee.
Public Historian 
March 7, 2008 at 10:34 am
Minnesota Fishing Communities Discuss Dedicated Funding and its Potential Impacts
(I-Newswire) – Minnesota Anglers are sharing mixed feelings regarding the proposed Dedicated Funding Amendment due on the ballot on November 4. The bill calls for a constitutional amendment raising the sales tax 3/8th of 1 percent and dedicate the $276 million in annual revenue to wildlife habitat, clean water, parks and the arts.
After a long 10 year battle the bill has finally found the legs to make its way to the ballot. While initially excited, some outdoor enthusiasts are critical of the spending proposal. Many remember the legislation passed for the state lottery in 1990 to be the miracle fix for the environment. Profits generated by the lottery were to fund the Game and Fish Fund, Natural Resources Fund and the Environmental Fund. Much of the lottery profit has been directed away from its intended environmental funds and Minnesotans are leary that history may repeat itself with the Dedicated Funding Bill.
The fishing community has gathered to discuss the issue in recent posts on My Fishing Pals’ message forum, a local Minnesota website dedicated to the free exchange of ideas on fishing related topics. While most support the bill, all want governmental accountability. While Minnesotans strive to be good stewards of the land, they hope the government becomes good stewards of their tax dollars.
My Fishing Pals ( http://www.myfishingpals.com ) originated in 2003 as a hobby-fishing site that welcomes Minnesota fishermen to share fishing reports, information, and other items related to fishing. In 2005 a controversial forum was created on the site so that Minnesota fishermen could address fishing and hunting issues. These controversial forums have become an avenue for hunters and fishermen to voice their opinions and concerns and, at times, defend traditional Minnesota values.
August 21, 2008 at 12:43 pm
[…] much more possible for small museum professionals and those without much lobbying practice. (My occasional posts about Minnesota cultural legislation don’t cut […]
September 8, 2008 at 9:33 am
[…] history Since I’ve been talking about museums in an election year, I’ll put in another plug for Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, on the ballot this November to create […]