Oct 20, 2008 5:46 pm US/Central
Vote Yes Or No: Breaking Down The Legacy Amendment
(WCCO)
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The Legacy Amendment would raise an estimated $271 million a year, split between clean water projects, outdoor habitats, parks and the arts. Still, it faces an uphill battle on Nov. 4. (File)
WFRV
President, Senate and Congressional races may be getting most of the attention as Election Day approaches, but there is also an important yes or no question on the ballot. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment would add 3/8 of a percent to the sales tax.
It would raise an estimated $271 million a year, split between clean water projects, outdoor habitats, parks and the arts. Still, it faces an uphill battle on Nov. 4.
There have been many commercials, part of an aggressive campaign for the constitutional amendment, which also included an emotional rally at Harriet Island.
"Vote Yes on the constitutional amendment," said Randy Quale of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. "Making sure that future generations have opportunities that we have had previously here in Minnesota."
Supporters say parks, clean water, outdoor habitats and the arts have been overlooked for too long, and could be properly funded for an average cost of $56 per Minnesotan per year.
"So I'm saying to you we can fix it," said Mary Merrill Anderson of the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board. "And you know how much it's going to cost us? Just a buck a week."
So, what kind of person would oppose that? Somebody like Paul Gilje, coordinator of think-tank The Civic Caucus.
"The basis for our opposition has nothing to do with a referendum on whether we like these things," he said.
Gilje likes the outdoors, the environment, and the arts but doesn't like the precedent. He said a vote for the amendment would open the door to California-style government by referendum.
"What we've got to do is get the legislators to remain on the hook for their decisions," he said. "They've got to make the decisions, rather than passing them off on you and me."
The amendment could be a tough sell. A majority must vote for it, with non-votes counting as no votes.
"The guiding rule is that you need about a 60 percent majority to pass these constitutional amendments," said WCCO political analyst Larry Jacobs. "It is a hard job to do, particularly in an economic downturn."
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