Minnesotans spoke loud and clear at the ballot box on Nov. 4 - we support our outdoor heritage and want to pass it on to future generations. The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment is the single largest conservation finance measure to pass in American history. The initiative is projected to generate $11 billion over the next 25 years, with $8.8 billion going towards conservation and the outdoors.
Voters overwhelmingly supported the Legacy Amendment with 56.09 percent of all votes cast, the highest percentage in the state. This amendment received more votes than any other candidate or issue in the state with 1,635,040 ‘YES' votes. In fact, the amendment received 61,796 more votes than President-Elect Barack Obama, the next highest vote getter.
With passage of the amendment, questions popped up over night about how the money would be spent. The one absolute certainty is that 14.25 percent of all revenue generated by the amendment over the next 25 years will be dedicated specifically to support parks and trails of regional or statewide significance. Between now and the start of the 2009 legislative session, Parks & Trails, along with other amendment supporters are developing plans and funding strategies that will demonstrate to Minnesotans the benefits of the new funds.
