Accessibility menu
State Representative John Ward
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4333
For more information contact: Sandy Connolly 651-296-8877
Press/News Releases
HOUSE PASSES LEGACY ACT TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT, ARTS
St. Paul, MN – State Rep. John Ward (DFL – Brainerd) voted in support of legislation on Thursday that will ask voters next November to approve a dedicated funding source for Minnesota's environment and natural resources, parks and the arts.
The "Legacy Act" passed on a vote of 85 to 46, and would dedicate 0.38 percent of the state sales tax through a constitutional amendment that must be approved by voters in the fall.
"In a district like ours, with the lakes, trails and thriving tourist industry, it is critical that we do whatever we can to protect our resources," said Ward. "I supported this legislation today, and I'm hoping the voters will support it next November."
According to Ward, Minnesota's environmental funding has declined in recent years at a time when the complexity, size, and expense of environmental challenges have increased substantially. Climate change, impaired waters, invasive species, forest fragmentation, new and persistent chemicals in drinking water, and a number of other environmental challenges present the Legislature with tough fiscal choices as it works to preserve Minnesota's natural resources. Proponents of the "Legacy Act" believe the state must provide consistent and coherent long-term funding in order to adequately address these issues.
According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) over 40 percent of Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and streams are considered "impaired." In the last two years, 300 bodies of water in Minnesota have been newly added to the state's impaired waters list.
"It is more important now than ever to find a reliable funding source for our environment," said Ward. "If passed by the voters next fall, this bill will go a long ways toward protecting the precious resources our children and grandchildren will inherit."
Funding provided by this new constitutional amendment would be dedicated to the following permanent funds:
· Outdoor Heritage Fund – 33 percent to be spent only to restore, protect and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for game, fish and wildlife.
· Clean Water Fund – 33 percent to be spent only to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams, with at least 5 percent of the fund spent to protect drinking water sources.
· Parks and Trails Fund – 14.25 percent to be spent only to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.
· Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund – 19.75 percent to be spent only for arts, arts education and arts access, and to preserve Minnesota's history and cultural heritage.
For more information, please contact Rep. John Ward at 651-296-4333 or by email at rep.john.ward@house.mn.
News Items
- 2013 Legislative Session Preview - (Posted: Jan 11 2013 8:39AM)
- Assistant Majority Leader Rep. John Ward Sworn-In as Legislative Session Starts - (Posted: Jan 8 2013 2:39PM)
- Rep. John Ward Elected Assistant Majority Leader and Selected to Serve as Vice Chair of Capital Investment Committee - (Posted: 2012-12-19 00:00:00)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.