ST. PAUL – On Tuesday, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the omnibus legacy funding bill, HF707, on a 131-0 vote. Legacy funding comes from proceeds of a constitutionally dedicated sales tax passed by Minnesota voters in 2008 for clean water, arts, and cultural heritage projects.
In total, the bill invests $527 million in clean water, the arts, and maintaining cultural heritage throughout the state. Over $100 million of the bill goes directly to restore and protect Minnesota’s water. More than $30 million will go toward protecting drinking water, while another $22 million will provide buffer aid to counties
Included in the bill were two provisions authored by Rep. Sandy Layman, R-Cohasset. The first would fund $300,000 over two years toward the Grand Rapids Children’s Discovery Museum.
“As vice-chair of the Legacy Committee, I’m happy we were able to include provisions in our omnibus bill that will help our area,” said Layman. “The Children’s Discovery Museum has proven to be a unique resource for kids throughout northeast Minnesota.”
The other provision would provide $3.2 million in the next biennium to the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations (AMPERS). A portion of this funding would help Northern Community Radio, based in Grand Rapids.
“I’ve enjoyed supporting our local radio station, and am thrilled to see legacy funds to support AMPERS throughout the state,” added Layman.
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