The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment approved by Minnesota voters Nov. 4, 2008, amends the state Constitution to increase the state sales tax by three-eighths of 1 percent for the next 25 years. It also creates a dedicated Park and Trail Fund that will receive 14.25 percent of those proceeds (approximately $39 million in fiscal year 2010-2011) to be invested in parks and trails of regional or statewide significance.
As lawmakers begin the process of determining how the fund should be administered, they will be guided by a 2004 Legislative Commission on Minnesota’s Resources (LCMR) report that concluded that state parks and trails, metropolitan regional parks and trails and regional parks in Greater Minnesota are elements of a comprehensive and complementary statewide park system. Each element has a different mission, different goals, and different clientele but each is based, in varying degrees, on similar public benefits. These benefits include preserving natural resources, protecting open space, protecting cultural and historical resources and providing recreational opportunities and interpretive services.
Parks & Trails recognizes the people of Minnesota have provided a unique opportunity to dramatically enhance and support the state’s park and trail system. Parks & Trails supports developing funding strategies that demonstrate to Minnesotans the benefits of the new funding through improved visitor services, enhanced facility maintenance and effective resource protection.
The challenge facing Gov. Pawlenty and legislators will be balancing the state’s budget without using the new funding as a substitute for current funding sources. General fund cuts of any size will be especially detrimental to Minnesota’s state park and trail system, which relies on the general fund for a significant portion of its operating revenues.
We will get our first into this process when the governor releases his budget proposal on Jan. 27.
