ST. PAUL -- Advocates for Minnesota's woods, waters and public airwaves scored a collective victory Tuesday as lawmakers decided to give voters the chance to set aside tax dollars to benefit those interests.
On a 78-55 vote, the Minnesota House approved a proposal allowing citizens to weigh in on whether the state constitution should be amended to dedicate revenue from the existing statewide sales tax for conservation programs, cleanup of polluted waters, parks and trails projects and the arts.
The measure that passed the closely divided GOP-controlled House was similar to the initial proposal by Rep. Tom Hackbarth, who wanted to commit money only for habitat preservation. Approving a bill with a narrow focus would provide room for negotiations with the DFL-controlled Senate's broader proposal, lawmakers said.
"We're in good shape now," Hackbarth, R-Cedar, said after the vote. He had threatened to pull his bill from the floor if unfriendly amendments were added.
During several hours of debate, the proposal was amended to include funding for water cleanup projects and for arts groups and public broadcasting organizations -- pulling it closer to the Senate's proposal.
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"Politics is the art of compromise ... and that's what we've done," said Hackbarth, who had lobbied against including arts and parks money.
Under the House plan, an estimated $81 million a year would be used for game and fish habitat preservation and $40.5 million would go toward cleaning up polluted lakes, rivers and streams. In addition, $6.75 million is dedicated to parks and trails improvements. If approved by voters, full funding would kick in by 2009.
The arts provision was the most controversial, with some Republicans arguing that cultural organizations don't need new state funding as badly as the natural resources. Democrats said more citizens support amending the constitution if the arts also benefit.
House members amended the bill to include arts funding at the urging of Rep. Mike Charron.
The Woodbury Republican, who teaches college drama courses, said people are attracted to Minnesota because of its vibrant arts programs.
"Without the arts, Minnesota is a North Dakota without missile silos," Charron told fellow legislators.
With House passage of an outdoors amendment proposal, a conference committee of senators and representatives will be formed to seek a compromise both chambers can support.
The House bill directs about 18 cents of sales tax from every $100 spent to the outdoors and the arts. The Senate plan raises the sales tax by 37 cents on $100 spent and dedicates that revenue to natural resources and cultural institutions.
