MINNEAPOLIS — If you've ever played a Minnesota Lottery game or watched a commercial, chances are you know that a portion of the proceeds are invested back into Minnesota's environment and natural resources.
You might not realize that the constitutional amendment that made that funding possible is up for renewal, and anything short of a yes vote could put future environmental and outdoor projects in jeopardy.
In 1988, Minnesota voters first approved a constitutional amendment that dedicated a portion of lottery proceeds to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Each year since the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) has worked to help disperse that funding.
"In the last 36 years we've provided about $1.1 billion of funding to 1,700 projects all over the state, so literally we have provided support within every county of the state," said Becca Nash, director of the LCCMR.
Those projects have included research on drinking water, wastewater, and air quality to name just a few. They have also helped fund new parks, trails and campsites; supported loon and bison populations; and fostered outdoor activities in many different ways.
Nash: "Whether it's research to help protect our waters from invasive species, getting kids out on canoes to explore the boundary waters or creating parks and trails, however, people experience the outdoors and nature, we're providing funding to support that."
Erdahl: "We're standing on a fishing pier, which have received a lot of support in the last few years, right?"
Nash: "Absolutely, we've been providing funding for the Department of Natural Resources and local communities to create and maintain fishing piers and make fishing and experiencing the outdoors more accessible to everyone."
While the legislature and governor have the final say on spending, Nash said the commission has worked hard to earn their trust through its vetting of proposals and continued oversight after projects are awarded.
"I think in our 36-year history there has maybe been 100 projects out of 1,700 that have been adjusted in some way by the legislature," she said.
With that track record, it's no big surprise that the constitutional amendment has overwhelming, bipartisan support.
"I haven't heard of any opposition to it," said Representative Athena Hollins, who authored the amendment and is a member of the LCCMR.
Though amendment one certainly isn't controversial, Hollins said voting 'yes' is still critical.
"That's the most important thing that I have been trying to tell everyone about," she said. "Because it's a constitutional amendment provision, if you decided to skip it or you feel like maybe you don't understand, well enough, what it's about, then that counts as a 'no' vote."
If the amendment fails, all that money would go into the state's general fund instead, and while the legislature could still decide to spend it on our natural resources, Hollins said she'd rather put her trust in the trust fund.
"When it really comes down to it everyone agrees that our natural resources are important," she said. "And so making sure that there is this continued source of funding for the next 25 years, is really essential."