Posted: 2/3/04

Senate DFLers propose constitutional amendment dedicating portion of sales tax to environment

by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Senate DFLers are proposing a constitutional amendment dedicating a portion of the state sales tax to the environment.

The bill, which has some bipartisan support, would slate a quarter of one percent of the sales tax ó about $170 million a year ó to parks and trails, zoos, wildlife and clean water initiatives.

ìMinnesota loves the outdoors,î said Sen. Dallas Sams, DFL-Staples, Senate bill author.

Still, less than three percent of the stateís budget goes toward the environment, he said.

ìThis fraction of the stateís spending is not consistent with the priorities of most Minnnesotans,î said Sams.

Under his proposal, 40 percent of the sales tax dedication would be slated to wildlife.

Some 30 percent would be slated to clean water initiatives, with another 30 percent slated for parks, trails, and zoos.

Judy Erickson, a lobbyist with the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, said additional revenue would be welcomed as parks and trails are going down the ìslippery slope of eroding budgets.î

Gov. Pawlenty conceptually supports the initiative, he said.

But he did not specifically support Samsí bill.

Although listed as a bill co-author, Sen. David Knutson, R-Burnsville, is troubled by openendedness of Samsí legislation, he explained.

Sams has no proposal for replacing the $170 million that would be dedicated to the environment.

Since Sams does not propose raising the sales tax, dedicating a portion of it would leave other areas short millions.

ìWeíve got to figure out where weíre going to get the funding for it or what weíre going to cut,î said Knutson, adding his support for the proposal dates back to more robust budgetary times.

But Rep. Dennis Ozment, R-Rosemount, does support the initiative.

Ozment, chairman of the House environment and natural resources finance committee, is concerned that Minnesota could fall behind in meeting federal clean water regulations.

That could result in lawsuits and court-ordered deadlines, Ozment argues.

Ozment is pragmatic in offering his support, looking for the proposal with the best backing from environmental stakeholders.

ìThe one (bill) that will win,î he said.

Samsí proposed constitutional amendment would sunset in 20 years.

It would go into effect July 1, 2005, if approved by voters.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state residents and nonresidents in 2001 spent $2.7 billion on wildlife: 39 percent hunt or fish, 54 percent participate in wildlife watching activities.

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