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State Representative Rick Hansen
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-6828
For more information contact: Matt Swenson 651-297-8406
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MINN. HOUSE VOTES TO LEAVE A LEGACY WITH OUTDOOR & CULTURAL HERITAGE BILL
ST. PAUL, MN - Last November 1.6 million people, representing 56% of Minnesota voters, approved a constitutional amendment on the ballot dedicating a new portion of the sales tax (3/5 of one cent) to the outdoors, clean water, and the arts. Those new dedicated dollars, known more commonly as Legacy Funds, are expected to total approximately $250 million every year for the next 25 years and be spent solely on targeted environmental and cultural heritage efforts. Friday night the Minnesota House passed a bill (HF1231) dedicating this year’s funds based on the thoughtful, strategic recommendations of several citizens’ advocacy and oversight groups.
“Minnesotans from every walk of life and every corner of the state made this good work possible," said Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL - South St. Paul) who served on the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council and the key legislative committees that crafted the legislation. “From years of of citizen advocacy, to casting their votes at the ballot, the people of Minnesota have made a commitment to our environment and future that will leave a legacy for decades and generations to come."
“The money that will start to be collected on July 1 belongs to the people of Minnesota,” continued Hansen. “It belongs to those who voted for the amendment and those who voted against the amendment. It belongs to those who could not vote; it belongs to those who did vote.”
For FY 2010-2011, the sales tax revenues dedicated to the Legacy Funds are projected to top $485 million. The bill passed by the Minnesota House on Friday spends $335 million of those revenues, with additional funds to be dedicated during the 2010 Legislative Session.
“Thousands of Minnesotans participated in the decision-making process of how exactly to spend this money,” said Hansen. “Through Rep. Mary Murphy’s Cultural and Outdoor Resources Committee, hundreds of people provided valuable input and direction. So the product we passed Friday is not the creation of any one person, or any one group; it is the product of a long effort to get this amendment passed, a lot of work between passage and today, and a lot of work left in the future. It is sound and solid footing for the next 25 years of good work to come.”
According to the language adopted in the Minnesota Constitution, HF1231would dedicate funding to the following areas:
• $71.5 million to restore, protect and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife
• $120.6 million to protect, enhance and restore water quality in lakes, rivers and streams and to protect groundwater and drinking water
• $54 million to support parks and trails
• $89.1 million for arts, history and cultural heritage
“The specific requirements laid out in the constitutional amendment were our guidepost for appropriating these new funds in a responsible strategic manner,” Hansen said. “Based directly on the input of committed citizens, Minnesotans can be assured these funds will be spent wisely and effectively to meet the very serious challenges facing our environment, and pass on a better Minnesota for our children and grandchildren.”
In addition to including the project recommendations of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council, and others, members of the Minnesota House included additional oversight and accountability measures in the bill to ensure every dime of dedicated funding spent is used efficiently and for its intended purpose. Those efforts include: 1) enhanced transparency through a Legislative Coordinating Commission website that tracks the funds; 2) clear and consistent principles for appropriating the funds; and 3) a requirement that the nonpartisan Legislative Auditor perform restoration audits to improve accountability and efficiency.
“Recent findings from the Legislative Auditor have revealed plainly the need for additional oversight and accountability measures in state government,” said Rep. Hansen, who just wrapped up a two-year post as Chair of the Legislative Audit Commission. “Minnesotans expect state government to operate efficiently and honestly. That is especially true when it comes to making certain these Legacy Funds are spent wisely and appropriately. Because of the new provisions of accountability included in this bill, Minnesotans can rest assured every measure is being taken to make sure that happens.”
HF123 passed Friday by a bipartisan vote of 78 to 51. The House and Senate versions of the legislation must now be reconciled in conference committee before coming back to the floor for a final vote. Action on a comprehensive conference report is expected within the week. The 2009 Legislative Session is scheduled to adjourn May 18.
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