‘Vote Yes’ campaign informing voters about amendment question on November ballot

It’s been a while since the Minnesota Legislature agreed to allow voters in November to decide whether to amend the state’s constitution with the Clean Water, Land and Legacy amendment.
Since then, residents have been enjoying the traditional Minnesota summer attractions that involve the state’s natural resources and cultural heritage.
“Vote Yes” campaign director Ken Martin and communications director Charlie Poster have been traveling the state reminding voters that November’s general election will include a ballot question about amending the constitution.
And while they hope that most people vote yes to the amendment, they say it’s important to vote on the issue because blank ballot questions will be counted as no votes.
The ballot question will read as follows: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to dedicate funding to protect our drinking water sources; to protect, enhance, and restore our wetlands, prairies, forests, and fish, game and wildlife habitat; to preserve our arts and cultural heritage; to support our parks and trails; and to protect, enhance, and restore our lakes, rivers, streams and groundwater by increasing the sales and use tax rate beginning July 1, 2009, by three-eights of one percent on taxable sales until the year 2034?”
Proponents, among them former Sen. Bob Lessard, admit the question is a long one, but say it is an important one. Lessard began the effort to dedicate a portion of the sales tax to fish and wildlife habitat years earlier. A committee that will make decisions on spending the money, if the amendment is approved by voters, has been named after Lessard in recognition of his role.
Borderland could be a poster child for the intention behind the amendment, said Martin.
“This amendment really represents what this community is about, with the Boise plant here; and obviously folks who work and live here in International Falls understand the importance of our natural resources.”
The Forest Legacy Act protects and preserves the forests for timber and recreation for future generations. The legacy, which discourages fragmentation of owners of forests, is a big part of the proposed amendment.
“For folks here in International Falls, there is a direct economic impact in making sure this amendment passes,” Martin said.
The amendment would also protect hunting, fishing, biking and hiking, among other recreational uses for future generations, he said.
Martin noted that in former Gov. Arne Carlson, who supports the bill, was shocked to find out that more than 40 percent of the lakes and streams in the state are considered polluted.
Carlson wondered how a state, which uses the moniker “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” allowed that to happen, Martin said.
The amendment would provide $300 million a year for 25 years to be used on the resources stated. According to the campaign, that would amount to about $1 per week, or $56 per year, the average Minnesota family would spend in the new tax.
Supporters say that’s a small price to pay to protect water, habitat and culture.
Opponents, Martin said, are simply opposed to any new taxes regardless of their use.
But the biggest challenge to the campaign is making Minnesota voters aware that the question will be on the ballot and competing for attention with the presidential and U.S. Senate races, said Martin.
“A lot of people who did know about it have forgotten about it and a lot of people generally haven’t heard about it,” he said.