Conservation issue
deserved 2nd look
I am disappointed that negotiations failed to yield a special session to get a constitutional amendment to dedicate funding for conservation on the November ballot.
I joined the outdoors community in supporting this amendment and I am sorry to see the effort fail this year. Let's not wait another two years. We need to make a big push to recommit to funding clean water and fish and wildlife habitat in 2007.
The proposed constitutional amendment would have dedicated a portion of the sales tax to natural resources. Some versions of the proposal would have also dedicated a smaller amount to the arts and public broadcasting. One of the sticking points on the issue was whether the amendment would dedicate existing sales tax dollars or increase the sales tax.
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I maintain that we needed the broad coalition of interests in order to get this passed. I also thought it important that we put new money into conservation. Otherwise, where are we taking it from? Education? Our roads? Nursing homes?
This issue will be back on the agenda next session. The time for this is past due. This is especially important to our area. Folks around here love to hunt and fish, and we rely on clean lakes and rivers for our tourism economy. I will help lead any efforts in our area to get funding for conservation on the agenda.
Rep. Brita Sailer
Park Rapids
