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00-243ORlGINAL Presented By Referred to RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA �� Counci 1 Fi 1 e# 00 — a�3 Green Sheet # �� Committee: Date RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STATE OF MINNESOTA LEGISLATION SF3173 / HF3426 WHEREAS, the State Legislature is considering Legislation under SF3173 / HF3426 establishing a referendum in November 2000 for a State Constitutional Amendment dedicating 3/16ths of 1 percent of State Sales T� for: Department of Natural Resources Game and Fish Operations and Maintenance, State Pazks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Metropolitan Area Regional Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Three Zoos Operations and Maintenance, and Local Trail Grants, and 10 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul performs a significant service at considerable expense 11 for citizens of the Metropolitan Area and all Minnesota residents through its ownership and 12 operation of eight Regional Pazks and Trails plus the Regional Special Recreation Features at 13 Como Zoo and Conservatory, and 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 WHEREAS, the 28.7 million annual visitors to the Metropolitan Area Regional Parks System generate $35.8 million in State sales taxes according to 1999 data compiled by the Metropolitan Council, and WHEREAS, State sales t� revenue under SF3173 / HF3426 would result in an estimated $28.125 million annually for the Metropolitan Area Regional Park System, and WIIEREAS, State sales tax revenue dedicated to the continued operation and maintenance of the Metropolitan Area Regional Parks System will ensure that recreational lands and facilities in Saint Paul, and the entire regional parks system are well cazed for and long lasting, preserving these resources for future generations, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that the City of Saint Paul supports and encourages passage of Legislation under SF3173 and HF3426. Page 1 of 2 _, -, oR«iNA� RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented By Re£erred to Councii Fi1e # 0 o-a43 Green Sheet # ��Z7� Committee: Date Yeas Nays Absent Benanav � Blakey �/' Bostrom �/ Coleman �/' Harris � �/' Lantry _ y Reiter _� � � Adopted by Council: Date \,. \5 gap�p .r+ - - � zadoption Certified by Council Secretary By �\„ � c�- �,-'��z= Approved by r: Date: " "" `� �'� "�� By: t_�//L Form Approved by City Attorney BY: ,� � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Counc' � --� B y' , Page 2 of 2 �\ Requested by: DEPARTMENT/OFFICE/COUNCIL DATEINITIATED GREEN SHEET NO. 106557 Parks and Recreation Mar 7, 2000 00 -a'i, CONTA�7 pEASON AND PHONE INITIA�/DATE INITIA�/DATE John Wirka 2�J6-64� � � � DEPAPTMEM DIRECTOR 4 CITY COUNCIL ASSIGx NUMBER FOF Z pTV ATTORNEY . CITV CLERK MUST BE ON WUNCIL AGENDA BY �DATE� fi0Ui1NG OFlOEA _ HNANCIAL SERVICES DIR. -_ -FINANEIAL SERYICES Nq 3 MAYOR IOR A551$TANT7 6 Parks and Recreation TOTAL S OF SIGNANRE PAGES � [CLIP ALL LOCAilONS FOR SIGNANBE) ACTION REQUESTED: Approval of City Council Resolution of Support for State Legislation dedicating sales tax revenues to Regional Parks Systems Operations and Maintenance RECOMMENDAilONS: Approve (A1 or Rejec[ (RI PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: _PLANNING COMMISSION _CNIL SERVICE COMMISSION �, Has this persoNfirm ever worketl untler a con[rect tor this departmenII CIB COMMITTEE _ YES NO STAfP 2. Has this person/firm ever been a city employee? VES NO DISTRICT COUNCIL — — 3. Does [his persoNfirm possess a skill not normaily possessetl by any current nry employee� SUPPOqTSWHICHCOUNCILOBJECTIVE? VES NO Ezplain all yes answers on separate sM1eet and attath ro green sM1eet. INITIATING PROBLEM, ISSUE, OPPORTUNITY (Who, Whaq When, Where, Why) The State Legislature is considering Legislation under SF3173 / HF3426 establishing a referendum in November 2000 for a State Constitutional Amendment dedicating 3/16ths of 1 percent of State Sales Tax for Department of Natural Resources Game and Fish Operations and Maintenance, State Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Metropolitan Area Regional Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Three Zoos Operations and Maintenance, and Local Trail Grants. Senator Bob Lessard, the chief author and proponent of this legislation, has requested resolutions of support from affected park boards, city councils, county boards, etc., which will be distributed to their respective legislative delegations and to House and Senate Committees. If enacted, and if approved by the electorate in the fall 2000 elections, 25% of the dedicated revenues will go to the Regional Parks system, an estimated 528.125 million annually, plus 3% to the three zoos in Minnesota. This would result in over 52,500,000.00 annually for Saint Paul's Regional Parks operations and maintenance plus about 5750,000.00 for Como Zoo. f'i�fE€$liR� �s�?�c�"v` ��wY �� 2a�D TOTAL qMOUNT OF TRANSACTION S COST/REVENUE BUDGETED (qRCIE ONE) YES NO FUNDING SOIIRCE ACTNITY NUMBER FINANCIAL INPORMATION: (EXPIAIN) -•- S:�' No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment Page 1 of 2 fl0 �3.�1,3 -�. , � �� "= r`�� ^'L_'�'e: a . , ' G ! �i.:..�V�q� l` � . .n.. �'�_ KEY: �=zx�- = old language to be removed underscored = new languaqe to be added NOTE: If you cannot see any difference in the key above, you need to chanee the display of stricken and/or underscored language. Authors and Status ■ List versions S.F No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment: 81st Legislative Session (1999-2000) Posted on Maz 6, 2000 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 A bi11 for an act proposing an amendment to the Minnesota ConstiLUtion by addinq a section to article XI; dedicating the sales tax receipts equal to a sales tax of one-eighth of one percent on taxable sales for natural resource purposes; creating a wildlife and fish enhancement account and a review committee for the account; proposinq coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97A. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MZNNESOTA: Section 1. [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.] An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is oroposed to the peoole If the amendment is adopted a section sha11 be added to article XI, to read: mav be spent onlv on activities that improve, enhance or orotect aame and fish resources including conservation restoration, and enhancement of 1and, water, and other natural resources of the state• 25 oercent of the receiqts shall be deposited in the natural resources fund and mav be spent onlv for state oarks and trails• 25 percent of the revenue sha11 be deoosited in the natural resources fund and may be spent onlv on meLropolitan park and trail arants• three percent of the receipts sha11 be for the Minnesota zooloqical aarden the Como oark zoo and conservatorv and the Duluth zoo. The money dedicated under this section mav not be used as a substitute for traditional sources of fundinq for the purposes specified but `he dedicated money sha11 supplement traditional sources of fund=na for those purposes Land acauired with monev deoosited in t�e w�1d1i`e and fish fund under this section must be open to��iblic huntinq and fishinq durina the open season. Sec. 2. [SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.j that the sales tax receipts eQUa1 to a aeneral sa�es tax of 3/16 of one percent on taxable sales be dedicated for wi1d1_fe and fish resource enhancement, improvement and protection, natural resource conservation state parks and trails, metropo'_itan parks and trails 1oca1 trail qrants and state and 1oca1 zoos? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 .l .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 .10 .11 .12 .13 .14 .15 .16 .17 .18 .19 http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/bldbill.pl?bi11=S3173.2&session=1s81 3/8/2000 �.F No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment Page 2 of 2 2.zo Yes .. a0-��3 2.21 No . 2.22 Sec. 3. [97A.056] [WILDLIFE AND FISH ENHANCEMENT ACCOUNT; 2.23 REVIEW COMMITTEE.] 2.24 Subdivision 1. (ACCOUNT CREATION.] The wildlife and fish 2.25 enhancement account is established as an account +n the a ame and 2.26 fish fund. � 2.27 Subd. 2. [REVZEW COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.7 (a) A wildlife and 2.28 fish enhancement account review commictee of nine members is 2.29 created, consistinq of: 2.30 �) two members of the senate appointed bv the subco�n.�nittee 2.31 on committees of the committee on rules and administration• 2.32 �) two members of the house a000inted bv the speaker• 2.33 �3) two public members representina sportinq interests 2.34 appointed bv the subcommittee on committees of the comm�ttee on 2.35 rules and administration; 2.36 �) two public members reoresentina sportinq interests 3.1 appointed by the speaker; and 3.2 �5) the commissioner of natural resources or the 3.3 commissioner's desianee. 3.4 �b) Leaislative members appointed under paraaraoh (a) 3.5 clauses (1) and (2) serve as nonvotina members One member 3.6 from the senate and one member from the house must be from the 3.7 minoritv caucus. Leqislative members are entitled to 3.8 reimbursement for per diem expenses plus travel expenses 3.9 incurred in the services of the committee The comoensation and 3.10 removal of nublic members are as provided in section 15 0575 3.11 �c) Members shall apooint a�chair who shall oreside and 3.12 convene meetinqs as often as necessarv to conduct duties 3.13 prescribed by this section. 3.14 �d) Membership terms shall be two vears exceot that 3.15 members sha11 serve on the committee until their successors are 3.16 apoointed. 3.17 (e) Vacancies occurrinp on the committee shall not a`fect 3.18 the authority of the remainina members of the committee to carry 3.19 out their duties, and vacancies sha11 be filled in the same 3.20 manner under paraqraph (a). 3.21 Subd. 3. [DUTIES OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE.] � The 3.22 committee shall meet and review s endin lans for 3.23 appropriations from the wildlife and fish enhancement account by 3.24 Januarv 2 of each vear. 3.25 �b) The commissioner must submit a spendinq plan and 3.26 semiannual proqress report based on the review committee's 3.27 recommendations to the aopropriate leqislative committees 3.28 Sec. 4. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 3.29 Sections 1 and 2 are e£fective the dav followina final 3.30 enactment. Section 3 is effective the day following adootion by 3.31 the voters of the constitutional amendment proaosed in section 1 http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/bldbill.pl?bi11=S3173.2&session=1s81 3/8/2000 � Mi550UCt IS .,` .' N�s�caN�i. ` : OUTDOORS'�' EDITOR Blazing sWr blooms on a rare remnant wild prairie in northem Missouri. A vastly expanded privaYe lands program by tbe Missouri DOC helps landowners preserve such areas. �1@ StB�@�S � ack in 1976, a group:otpefition-toting conservationists in Missouri saw their dreaut realized On the night Jimm�z.t�ar�er; was elected president, Missouri voteis approved �Fdng-"�fi$�amendment to their constitution earmarking one-eighth of 1 percent of the state's sales taa for natural resonrces cronservaYion..� The amendment culminated sia years of work by a grass-roots group called;the Citizens.Committee for Conservation. The vote was considered:a revolutionary step in funding fish and wildlife prograzns, and it.turned.the Missoiui Department of Conserva- tion into the envy of every wildlife agency in the nation. "We would be a tremendously different state from a conser- vation perspective without that money," said John Smith, deputy director of the Missouri DOC. That election night in Missouri is now having revesberations in Minnesota, where lawmakecs and cronservation groups want a lang- tetm.5x for the financially ailing Department of Naturat Resources. Under a bill gathering steam in the Minnesota Legislature, voters here would be asked to appmve a ballot measure similaz to the Mis- souri program The proposal would dedicate 3/16 of 1 percent of the state's saies tas to natural resources, parks and zoos It would raise about $112 million annually and would solve money problems plaguing the DNR's fish and wildiife programs, which aze lazgely supported by hunting and fishing license fees. The bIll, w}uch passed the Senate Environment and Natural xesovmes comm;uee on weanes- day, received glowing support from a wide croalition of pazks and zoo advocates, conservation groups and himters and anglers. `Tve never dealt with anything as esciting as what we're doing here today," testified former Vikings coach and avid out- doarsman Bud Grant 17ie Minnesota bill is modeled after the Missouri constitution- al amendment That law today raises about $82 million annual- ly for the Missouri DOC, or about two-thirds of its total budget. Smith said the Missouri sales tas money has enabled the DOC to espand its programs beyond what was possible mmder a budget based on license fees. Among the pmgrams funded by the ta� ■ A state-of-the-art $20 [nillion fish hatchery, recently com- pleted, that will boLster the state's warm-water fishery program. ■ Four nature centers, with a fifth under cronstruction, that are distributed around the state. ■ A private lands program, with 80 employees, that helps land- owners manage their lands to the advantage of 5sh and vvildiife NISKANEN cormNUEO on 19C ► , ,.,.; : 5'�� , JIM RAiHERT/MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION �o��.� �t�7R/'1i�G1, ♦ COMINUED FROM 20C ■ One of the lazgest nongame wil�ife pro- grams in the nation, which focuses on pr� serving and protecting endangered species and other nongame animaLs. ■ A land acqmsition program tLat tias creat- ed hrmdreds of state-owned cronservation and himting. arnas and Cish'mg acce�s po�s. ■ An eapanded ouh�each and information program that fnnds conservation coasultants who provide nat�al resoutce information to the state's teacheis; publishes the free Mis- souri ConservationisE magazine; and produces a series of outdoors-related television and radio programs. Smith said one advantage of the tag program is to spread the cost of cronservation programs to all the state's citizens, not just people who buy hunting and fishing licenses. "Without it, we � would be like all the other states whose budget is based on permit sales," he said "It isn't reasonable in todaq's society to put the entire hurden of natural resources management on the backs of hunters and fishermen." Unlike the &finnesota DPIR, the Missouri DOC is governed by a four-member croaseraa- tion crommis4on made up of atizens from dif- ferent poliflc2l pazties. The DOC's budget is approved by the crommisson, not the state Legislabse. "It takec our fimding base entirely out of fhe political arena," Smith said The Minnesota DNR is run by a commis- sioner appointed hy the governor. Its budget is lazgely set by the governor and approved by the Legislature. The Minnesota sales tas bill would direct 45 percent of the money raised into a new DNR game and fish fund. The expenditures from the fund would be reviewed by a nine- member comurittee of lawmakeis, citizens and the DNR. The Legislature would still have final say in how that money is spent. The rest of the maney would be divided among state parks and traiLs (25 percent), metro parks and trails (25 percent) and local tcai2s and fhe Minncsota, Como and Duluth wos (5 percent). In crontrast to the Mi�ouri plan, the Min- nesota proposal is on the fast track. The bill was intmduced in the Legislahu2last year, where it received little notice But after the bilYs Senate author, Bob Lessard, DFlrinter- nationa( Falls, beBan rall9�B �PPort among pazks and trails advoeates, it quickly gained momentum in the past few weeks. In Missoari, the sales tas initiative took years to unfold. In 1970, three distinguis6ed Missouri conservationists produced a report detailing budget shortages in the state's con- servation�department. A price tag for faing the problems was established at $21 millioa Shortly afterward, the C�tizens Committee for Conservation formed and began a deter- mined effort to'help the state cron5e.rvation age�cy. The fust idea was to add a 1-cent tas on soda pop, and a pefition drive was started to get the proposal on the balIot TLat effort failed in 1972 hecause of a legal technicality. A new petition drive was started by fhe group in 1975 to fund ihe conservation pro- grams with one-eighth of 1 percent of the state sales taa. The group's 208,000 sgnatures put the inifiative on the ballot in 1976. Amendment 1 passed narrowly by 30,000 votes, with most of its support croming frrom urban cro�mties. Several legal challenges to divert the money or portions of it to other sources Lave failed. Supporters of the Minnesota amendment echo the azgument made in Missouri: Every- one, not just hunters and angleis, has a stake in state rnnservation programs. The Minnesota State Lottery, which was sold to Minnesotans 12 years ago on the promise of funding naturat resources pm grams, hasn't lived up to ezpectations. About 27 percent of lottery proceeds go toward the Eavironment and Natural Resources'hvst N�nd, as opposed to the 40 pereent that was originally pmposed. A sales tax of 6.5 percent was added �in 1989 to tottery Ucket sales, drawing money away from the trust fund It is an amount lawmake� also would like to recroup for environmental and 6sU and wildlife pmgi'ams. Bills accomplishing that goal also are making their way through the Le�slature. The Minnesota sales tax proposai faces an uphill battie in the I.egislature. The DNR im't openly svpporting it because t6e department i� focusing on incceasing himting aad fislilng license fees — a shategy favored by Gov. Jesse Ventisa, who ultimately oversees the DNR Ventura's spokesman said t6e governor was skeptical of the sates tax proposal. Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, DFL- E�kine, a key player in the state's budget process, said last week he was opposed to the measure because it dedicates a portion of the state's money to a specific purpose. House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Renyon, said the proposal was "inviting." I,essard is the bill's clrief proponent He knows the prop�al will be the subject of polit- fca! 6ghting and maneuvering, some of which is already under way in the Le�slature. He wants the people of Minnesota to decide the fate of funding which he said will bene6t "our children and our grandchildren. Smith, of the Missouri DOC, said he hopes Miunesota adopts the measute. "I wish more states could be as proactive as Minnesota in considering this funding;' he said. "I'm very pleased to say iYs a good model, and we've demonstrated here in Mis- souri that iYs a model that worlcs." Chns Niskanen can be reached at (651) 22&5524 or o�iskanen�pioneerpress.com . ap� �° "2�� be�raised�annually = " ��' " - . moneyowould go ir�ta the Department of..Natural ; .........r.. G.... .�ifii.ocsvinidA�hn ralnewo�l MI:A�COP(`IA��V;'.�: ORlGINAL Presented By Referred to RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA �� Counci 1 Fi 1 e# 00 — a�3 Green Sheet # �� Committee: Date RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STATE OF MINNESOTA LEGISLATION SF3173 / HF3426 WHEREAS, the State Legislature is considering Legislation under SF3173 / HF3426 establishing a referendum in November 2000 for a State Constitutional Amendment dedicating 3/16ths of 1 percent of State Sales T� for: Department of Natural Resources Game and Fish Operations and Maintenance, State Pazks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Metropolitan Area Regional Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Three Zoos Operations and Maintenance, and Local Trail Grants, and 10 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul performs a significant service at considerable expense 11 for citizens of the Metropolitan Area and all Minnesota residents through its ownership and 12 operation of eight Regional Pazks and Trails plus the Regional Special Recreation Features at 13 Como Zoo and Conservatory, and 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 WHEREAS, the 28.7 million annual visitors to the Metropolitan Area Regional Parks System generate $35.8 million in State sales taxes according to 1999 data compiled by the Metropolitan Council, and WHEREAS, State sales t� revenue under SF3173 / HF3426 would result in an estimated $28.125 million annually for the Metropolitan Area Regional Park System, and WIIEREAS, State sales tax revenue dedicated to the continued operation and maintenance of the Metropolitan Area Regional Parks System will ensure that recreational lands and facilities in Saint Paul, and the entire regional parks system are well cazed for and long lasting, preserving these resources for future generations, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that the City of Saint Paul supports and encourages passage of Legislation under SF3173 and HF3426. Page 1 of 2 _, -, oR«iNA� RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented By Re£erred to Councii Fi1e # 0 o-a43 Green Sheet # ��Z7� Committee: Date Yeas Nays Absent Benanav � Blakey �/' Bostrom �/ Coleman �/' Harris � �/' Lantry _ y Reiter _� � � Adopted by Council: Date \,. \5 gap�p .r+ - - � zadoption Certified by Council Secretary BY ��.��'^��z Approved by r: Date: " "" `� �'� "�� By: t_�//L Form Approved by City Attorney BY: ,� � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Counc' � --� B y' , Page 2 of 2 �\ Requested by: DEPARTMENT/OFFICE/COUNCIL DATEINITIATED GREEN SHEET NO. 106557 Parks and Recreation Mar 7, 2000 00 -a'i, CONTA�7 pEASON AND PHONE INITIA�/DATE INITIA�/DATE John Wirka 2�J6-64� � � � DEPAPTMEM DIRECTOR 4 CITY COUNCIL ASSIGx NUMBER FOF Z pTV ATTORNEY . CITV CLERK MUST BE ON WUNCIL AGENDA BY �DATE� fi0Ui1NG OFlOEA _ HNANCIAL SERVICES DIR. -_ -FINANEIAL SERYICES Nq 3 MAYOR IOR A551$TANT7 6 Parks and Recreation TOTAL S OF SIGNANRE PAGES � [CLIP ALL LOCAilONS FOR SIGNANBE) ACTION REQUESTED: Approval of City Council Resolution of Support for State Legislation dedicating sales tax revenues to Regional Parks Systems Operations and Maintenance RECOMMENDAilONS: Approve (A1 or Rejec[ (RI PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: _PLANNING COMMISSION _CNIL SERVICE COMMISSION �, Has this persoNfirm ever worketl untler a con[rect tor this departmenII CIB COMMITTEE _ YES NO STAfP 2. Has this person/firm ever been a city employee? VES NO DISTRICT COUNCIL — — 3. Does [his persoNfirm possess a skill not normaily possessetl by any current nry employee� SUPPOqTSWHICHCOUNCILOBJECTIVE? VES NO Ezplain all yes answers on separate sM1eet and attath ro green sM1eet. INITIATING PROBLEM, ISSUE, OPPORTUNITY (Who, Whaq When, Where, Why) The State Legislature is considering Legislation under SF3173 / HF3426 establishing a referendum in November 2000 for a State Constitutional Amendment dedicating 3/16ths of 1 percent of State Sales Tax for Department of Natural Resources Game and Fish Operations and Maintenance, State Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Metropolitan Area Regional Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Three Zoos Operations and Maintenance, and Local Trail Grants. Senator Bob Lessard, the chief author and proponent of this legislation, has requested resolutions of support from affected park boards, city councils, county boards, etc., which will be distributed to their respective legislative delegations and to House and Senate Committees. If enacted, and if approved by the electorate in the fall 2000 elections, 25% of the dedicated revenues will go to the Regional Parks system, an estimated 528.125 million annually, plus 3% to the three zoos in Minnesota. This would result in over 52,500,000.00 annually for Saint Paul's Regional Parks operations and maintenance plus about 5750,000.00 for Como Zoo. f'i�fE€$liR� �s�?�c�"v` ��wY �� 2a�D TOTAL qMOUNT OF TRANSACTION S COST/REVENUE BUDGETED (qRCIE ONE) YES NO FUNDING SOIIRCE ACTNITY NUMBER FINANCIAL INPORMATION: (EXPIAIN) -•- S:�' No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment Page 1 of 2 fl0 �3.�1,3 -�. , � �� "= r`�� ^'L_'�'e: a . , ' G ! �i.:..�V�q� l` � . .n.. �'�_ KEY: �=zx�- = old language to be removed underscored = new languaqe to be added NOTE: If you cannot see any difference in the key above, you need to chanee the display of stricken and/or underscored language. Authors and Status ■ List versions S.F No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment: 81st Legislative Session (1999-2000) Posted on Maz 6, 2000 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 A bi11 for an act proposing an amendment to the Minnesota ConstiLUtion by addinq a section to article XI; dedicating the sales tax receipts equal to a sales tax of one-eighth of one percent on taxable sales for natural resource purposes; creating a wildlife and fish enhancement account and a review committee for the account; proposinq coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97A. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MZNNESOTA: Section 1. [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.] An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is oroposed to the peoole If the amendment is adopted a section sha11 be added to article XI, to read: mav be spent onlv on activities that improve, enhance or orotect aame and fish resources including conservation restoration, and enhancement of 1and, water, and other natural resources of the state• 25 oercent of the receiqts shall be deposited in the natural resources fund and mav be spent onlv for state oarks and trails• 25 percent of the revenue sha11 be deoosited in the natural resources fund and may be spent onlv on meLropolitan park and trail arants• three percent of the receipts sha11 be for the Minnesota zooloqical aarden the Como oark zoo and conservatorv and the Duluth zoo. The money dedicated under this section mav not be used as a substitute for traditional sources of fundinq for the purposes specified but `he dedicated money sha11 supplement traditional sources of fund=na for those purposes Land acauired with monev deoosited in t�e w�1d1i`e and fish fund under this section must be open to��iblic huntinq and fishinq durina the open season. Sec. 2. [SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.j that the sales tax receipts eQUa1 to a aeneral sa�es tax of 3/16 of one percent on taxable sales be dedicated for wi1d1_fe and fish resource enhancement, improvement and protection, natural resource conservation state parks and trails, metropo'_itan parks and trails 1oca1 trail qrants and state and 1oca1 zoos? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 .l .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 .10 .11 .12 .13 .14 .15 .16 .17 .18 .19 http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/bldbill.pl?bi11=S3173.2&session=1s81 3/8/2000 �.F No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment Page 2 of 2 2.zo Yes .. a0-��3 2.21 No . 2.22 Sec. 3. [97A.056] [WILDLIFE AND FISH ENHANCEMENT ACCOUNT; 2.23 REVIEW COMMITTEE.] 2.24 Subdivision 1. (ACCOUNT CREATION.] The wildlife and fish 2.25 enhancement account is established as an account +n the a ame and 2.26 fish fund. � 2.27 Subd. 2. [REVZEW COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.7 (a) A wildlife and 2.28 fish enhancement account review commictee of nine members is 2.29 created, consistinq of: 2.30 �) two members of the senate appointed bv the subco�n.�nittee 2.31 on committees of the committee on rules and administration• 2.32 �) two members of the house a000inted bv the speaker• 2.33 �3) two public members representina sportinq interests 2.34 appointed bv the subcommittee on committees of the comm�ttee on 2.35 rules and administration; 2.36 �) two public members reoresentina sportinq interests 3.1 appointed by the speaker; and 3.2 �5) the commissioner of natural resources or the 3.3 commissioner's desianee. 3.4 �b) Leaislative members appointed under paraaraoh (a) 3.5 clauses (1) and (2) serve as nonvotina members One member 3.6 from the senate and one member from the house must be from the 3.7 minoritv caucus. Leqislative members are entitled to 3.8 reimbursement for per diem expenses plus travel expenses 3.9 incurred in the services of the committee The comoensation and 3.10 removal of nublic members are as provided in section 15 0575 3.11 �c) Members shall apooint a�chair who shall oreside and 3.12 convene meetinqs as often as necessarv to conduct duties 3.13 prescribed by this section. 3.14 �d) Membership terms shall be two vears exceot that 3.15 members sha11 serve on the committee until their successors are 3.16 apoointed. 3.17 (e) Vacancies occurrinp on the committee shall not a`fect 3.18 the authority of the remainina members of the committee to carry 3.19 out their duties, and vacancies sha11 be filled in the same 3.20 manner under paraqraph (a). 3.21 Subd. 3. [DUTIES OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE.] � The 3.22 committee shall meet and review s endin lans for 3.23 appropriations from the wildlife and fish enhancement account by 3.24 Januarv 2 of each vear. 3.25 �b) The commissioner must submit a spendinq plan and 3.26 semiannual proqress report based on the review committee's 3.27 recommendations to the aopropriate leqislative committees 3.28 Sec. 4. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 3.29 Sections 1 and 2 are e£fective the dav followina final 3.30 enactment. Section 3 is effective the day following adootion by 3.31 the voters of the constitutional amendment proaosed in section 1 http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/bldbill.pl?bi11=S3173.2&session=1s81 3/8/2000 � Mi550UCt IS .,` .' N�s�caN�i. ` : OUTDOORS'�' EDITOR Blazing sWr blooms on a rare remnant wild prairie in northem Missouri. A vastly expanded privaYe lands program by tbe Missouri DOC helps landowners preserve such areas. �1@ StB�@�S � ack in 1976, a group:otpefition-toting conservationists in Missouri saw their dreaut realized On the night Jimm�z.t�ar�er; was elected president, Missouri voteis approved �Fdng-"�fi$�amendment to their constitution earmarking one-eighth of 1 percent of the state's sales taa for natural resonrces cronservaYion..� The amendment culminated sia years of work by a grass-roots group called;the Citizens.Committee for Conservation. The vote was considered:a revolutionary step in funding fish and wildlife prograzns, and it.turned.the Missoiui Department of Conserva- tion into the envy of every wildlife agency in the nation. "We would be a tremendously different state from a conser- vation perspective without that money," said John Smith, deputy director of the Missouri DOC. That election night in Missouri is now having revesberations in Minnesota, where lawmakecs and cronservation groups want a lang- tetm.5x for the financially ailing Department of Naturat Resources. Under a bill gathering steam in the Minnesota Legislature, voters here would be asked to appmve a ballot measure similaz to the Mis- souri program The proposal would dedicate 3/16 of 1 percent of the state's saies tas to natural resources, parks and zoos It would raise about $112 million annually and would solve money problems plaguing the DNR's fish and wildiife programs, which aze lazgely supported by hunting and fishing license fees. The bIll, w}uch passed the Senate Environment and Natural xesovmes comm;uee on weanes- day, received glowing support from a wide croalition of pazks and zoo advocates, conservation groups and himters and anglers. `Tve never dealt with anything as esciting as what we're doing here today," testified former Vikings coach and avid out- doarsman Bud Grant 17ie Minnesota bill is modeled after the Missouri constitution- al amendment That law today raises about $82 million annual- ly for the Missouri DOC, or about two-thirds of its total budget. Smith said the Missouri sales tas money has enabled the DOC to espand its programs beyond what was possible mmder a budget based on license fees. Among the pmgrams funded by the ta� ■ A state-of-the-art $20 [nillion fish hatchery, recently com- pleted, that will boLster the state's warm-water fishery program. ■ Four nature centers, with a fifth under cronstruction, that are distributed around the state. ■ A private lands program, with 80 employees, that helps land- owners manage their lands to the advantage of 5sh and vvildiife NISKANEN cormNUEO on 19C ► , ,.,.; : 5'�� , JIM RAiHERT/MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION �o��.� �t�7R/'1i�G1, ♦ COMINUED FROM 20C ■ One of the lazgest nongame wil�ife pro- grams in the nation, which focuses on pr� serving and protecting endangered species and other nongame animaLs. ■ A land acqmsition program tLat tias creat- ed hrmdreds of state-owned cronservation and himting. arnas and Cish'mg acce�s po�s. ■ An eapanded ouh�each and information program that fnnds conservation coasultants who provide nat�al resoutce information to the state's teacheis; publishes the free Mis- souri ConservationisE magazine; and produces a series of outdoors-related television and radio programs. Smith said one advantage of the tag program is to spread the cost of cronservation programs to all the state's citizens, not just people who buy hunting and fishing licenses. "Without it, we � would be like all the other states whose budget is based on permit sales," he said "It isn't reasonable in todaq's society to put the entire hurden of natural resources management on the backs of hunters and fishermen." Unlike the &finnesota DPIR, the Missouri DOC is governed by a four-member croaseraa- tion crommis4on made up of atizens from dif- ferent poliflc2l pazties. The DOC's budget is approved by the crommisson, not the state Legislabse. "It takec our fimding base entirely out of fhe political arena," Smith said The Minnesota DNR is run by a commis- sioner appointed hy the governor. Its budget is lazgely set by the governor and approved by the Legislature. The Minnesota sales tas bill would direct 45 percent of the money raised into a new DNR game and fish fund. The expenditures from the fund would be reviewed by a nine- member comurittee of lawmakeis, citizens and the DNR. The Legislature would still have final say in how that money is spent. The rest of the maney would be divided among state parks and traiLs (25 percent), metro parks and trails (25 percent) and local tcai2s and fhe Minncsota, Como and Duluth wos (5 percent). In crontrast to the Mi�ouri plan, the Min- nesota proposal is on the fast track. The bill was intmduced in the Legislahu2last year, where it received little notice But after the bilYs Senate author, Bob Lessard, DFlrinter- nationa( Falls, beBan rall9�B �PPort among pazks and trails advoeates, it quickly gained momentum in the past few weeks. In Missoari, the sales tas initiative took years to unfold. In 1970, three distinguis6ed Missouri conservationists produced a report detailing budget shortages in the state's con- servation�department. A price tag for faing the problems was established at $21 millioa Shortly afterward, the C�tizens Committee for Conservation formed and began a deter- mined effort to'help the state cron5e.rvation age�cy. The fust idea was to add a 1-cent tas on soda pop, and a pefition drive was started to get the proposal on the balIot TLat effort failed in 1972 hecause of a legal technicality. A new petition drive was started by fhe group in 1975 to fund ihe conservation pro- grams with one-eighth of 1 percent of the state sales taa. The group's 208,000 sgnatures put the inifiative on the ballot in 1976. Amendment 1 passed narrowly by 30,000 votes, with most of its support croming frrom urban cro�mties. Several legal challenges to divert the money or portions of it to other sources Lave failed. Supporters of the Minnesota amendment echo the azgument made in Missouri: Every- one, not just hunters and angleis, has a stake in state rnnservation programs. The Minnesota State Lottery, which was sold to Minnesotans 12 years ago on the promise of funding naturat resources pm grams, hasn't lived up to ezpectations. About 27 percent of lottery proceeds go toward the Eavironment and Natural Resources'hvst N�nd, as opposed to the 40 pereent that was originally pmposed. A sales tax of 6.5 percent was added �in 1989 to tottery Ucket sales, drawing money away from the trust fund It is an amount lawmake� also would like to recroup for environmental and 6sU and wildlife pmgi'ams. Bills accomplishing that goal also are making their way through the Le�slature. The Minnesota sales tax proposai faces an uphill battie in the I.egislature. The DNR im't openly svpporting it because t6e department i� focusing on incceasing himting aad fislilng license fees — a shategy favored by Gov. Jesse Ventisa, who ultimately oversees the DNR Ventura's spokesman said t6e governor was skeptical of the sates tax proposal. Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, DFL- E�kine, a key player in the state's budget process, said last week he was opposed to the measure because it dedicates a portion of the state's money to a specific purpose. House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Renyon, said the proposal was "inviting." I,essard is the bill's clrief proponent He knows the prop�al will be the subject of polit- fca! 6ghting and maneuvering, some of which is already under way in the Le�slature. He wants the people of Minnesota to decide the fate of funding which he said will bene6t "our children and our grandchildren. Smith, of the Missouri DOC, said he hopes Miunesota adopts the measute. "I wish more states could be as proactive as Minnesota in considering this funding;' he said. "I'm very pleased to say iYs a good model, and we've demonstrated here in Mis- souri that iYs a model that worlcs." Chns Niskanen can be reached at (651) 22&5524 or o�iskanen�pioneerpress.com . ap� �° "2�� be�raised�annually = " ��' " - . moneyowould go ir�ta the Department of..Natural ; .........r.. G.... .�ifii.ocsvinidA�hn ralnewo�l MI:A�COP(`IA��V;'.�: ORlGINAL Presented By Referred to RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA �� Counci 1 Fi 1 e# 00 — a�3 Green Sheet # �� Committee: Date RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF STATE OF MINNESOTA LEGISLATION SF3173 / HF3426 WHEREAS, the State Legislature is considering Legislation under SF3173 / HF3426 establishing a referendum in November 2000 for a State Constitutional Amendment dedicating 3/16ths of 1 percent of State Sales T� for: Department of Natural Resources Game and Fish Operations and Maintenance, State Pazks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Metropolitan Area Regional Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Three Zoos Operations and Maintenance, and Local Trail Grants, and 10 WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul performs a significant service at considerable expense 11 for citizens of the Metropolitan Area and all Minnesota residents through its ownership and 12 operation of eight Regional Pazks and Trails plus the Regional Special Recreation Features at 13 Como Zoo and Conservatory, and 14 IS 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 WHEREAS, the 28.7 million annual visitors to the Metropolitan Area Regional Parks System generate $35.8 million in State sales taxes according to 1999 data compiled by the Metropolitan Council, and WHEREAS, State sales t� revenue under SF3173 / HF3426 would result in an estimated $28.125 million annually for the Metropolitan Area Regional Park System, and WIIEREAS, State sales tax revenue dedicated to the continued operation and maintenance of the Metropolitan Area Regional Parks System will ensure that recreational lands and facilities in Saint Paul, and the entire regional parks system are well cazed for and long lasting, preserving these resources for future generations, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that the City of Saint Paul supports and encourages passage of Legislation under SF3173 and HF3426. Page 1 of 2 _, -, oR«iNA� RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Presented By Re£erred to Councii Fi1e # 0 o-a43 Green Sheet # ��Z7� Committee: Date Yeas Nays Absent Benanav � Blakey �/' Bostrom �/ Coleman �/' Harris � �/' Lantry _ y Reiter _� � � Adopted by Council: Date \,. \5 gap�p .r+ - - � zadoption Certified by Council Secretary BY ��.��'^��z Approved by r: Date: " "" `� �'� "�� By: t_�//L Form Approved by City Attorney BY: ,� � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Counc' � --� B y' , Page 2 of 2 �\ Requested by: DEPARTMENT/OFFICE/COUNCIL DATEINITIATED GREEN SHEET NO. 106557 Parks and Recreation Mar 7, 2000 00 -a'i, CONTA�7 pEASON AND PHONE INITIA�/DATE INITIA�/DATE John Wirka 2�J6-64� � � � DEPAPTMEM DIRECTOR 4 CITY COUNCIL ASSIGx NUMBER FOF Z pTV ATTORNEY . CITV CLERK MUST BE ON WUNCIL AGENDA BY �DATE� fi0Ui1NG OFlOEA _ HNANCIAL SERVICES DIR. -_ -FINANEIAL SERYICES Nq 3 MAYOR IOR A551$TANT7 6 Parks and Recreation TOTAL S OF SIGNANRE PAGES � [CLIP ALL LOCAilONS FOR SIGNANBE) ACTION REQUESTED: Approval of City Council Resolution of Support for State Legislation dedicating sales tax revenues to Regional Parks Systems Operations and Maintenance RECOMMENDAilONS: Approve (A1 or Rejec[ (RI PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: _PLANNING COMMISSION _CNIL SERVICE COMMISSION �, Has this persoNfirm ever worketl untler a con[rect tor this departmenII CIB COMMITTEE _ YES NO STAfP 2. Has this person/firm ever been a city employee? VES NO DISTRICT COUNCIL — — 3. Does [his persoNfirm possess a skill not normaily possessetl by any current nry employee� SUPPOqTSWHICHCOUNCILOBJECTIVE? VES NO Ezplain all yes answers on separate sM1eet and attath ro green sM1eet. INITIATING PROBLEM, ISSUE, OPPORTUNITY (Who, Whaq When, Where, Why) The State Legislature is considering Legislation under SF3173 / HF3426 establishing a referendum in November 2000 for a State Constitutional Amendment dedicating 3/16ths of 1 percent of State Sales Tax for Department of Natural Resources Game and Fish Operations and Maintenance, State Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Metropolitan Area Regional Parks and Trails Operations and Maintenance, Three Zoos Operations and Maintenance, and Local Trail Grants. Senator Bob Lessard, the chief author and proponent of this legislation, has requested resolutions of support from affected park boards, city councils, county boards, etc., which will be distributed to their respective legislative delegations and to House and Senate Committees. If enacted, and if approved by the electorate in the fall 2000 elections, 25% of the dedicated revenues will go to the Regional Parks system, an estimated 528.125 million annually, plus 3% to the three zoos in Minnesota. This would result in over 52,500,000.00 annually for Saint Paul's Regional Parks operations and maintenance plus about 5750,000.00 for Como Zoo. f'i�fE€$liR� �s�?�c�"v` ��wY �� 2a�D TOTAL qMOUNT OF TRANSACTION S COST/REVENUE BUDGETED (qRCIE ONE) YES NO FUNDING SOIIRCE ACTNITY NUMBER FINANCIAL INPORMATION: (EXPIAIN) -•- S:�' No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment Page 1 of 2 fl0 �3.�1,3 -�. , � �� "= r`�� ^'L_'�'e: a . , ' G ! �i.:..�V�q� l` � . .n.. �'�_ KEY: �=zx�- = old language to be removed underscored = new languaqe to be added NOTE: If you cannot see any difference in the key above, you need to chanee the display of stricken and/or underscored language. Authors and Status ■ List versions S.F No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment: 81st Legislative Session (1999-2000) Posted on Maz 6, 2000 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 A bi11 for an act proposing an amendment to the Minnesota ConstiLUtion by addinq a section to article XI; dedicating the sales tax receipts equal to a sales tax of one-eighth of one percent on taxable sales for natural resource purposes; creating a wildlife and fish enhancement account and a review committee for the account; proposinq coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97A. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MZNNESOTA: Section 1. [CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.] An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution is oroposed to the peoole If the amendment is adopted a section sha11 be added to article XI, to read: mav be spent onlv on activities that improve, enhance or orotect aame and fish resources including conservation restoration, and enhancement of 1and, water, and other natural resources of the state• 25 oercent of the receiqts shall be deposited in the natural resources fund and mav be spent onlv for state oarks and trails• 25 percent of the revenue sha11 be deoosited in the natural resources fund and may be spent onlv on meLropolitan park and trail arants• three percent of the receipts sha11 be for the Minnesota zooloqical aarden the Como oark zoo and conservatorv and the Duluth zoo. The money dedicated under this section mav not be used as a substitute for traditional sources of fundinq for the purposes specified but `he dedicated money sha11 supplement traditional sources of fund=na for those purposes Land acauired with monev deoosited in t�e w�1d1i`e and fish fund under this section must be open to��iblic huntinq and fishinq durina the open season. Sec. 2. [SUBMISSION TO VOTERS.j that the sales tax receipts eQUa1 to a aeneral sa�es tax of 3/16 of one percent on taxable sales be dedicated for wi1d1_fe and fish resource enhancement, improvement and protection, natural resource conservation state parks and trails, metropo'_itan parks and trails 1oca1 trail qrants and state and 1oca1 zoos? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 .l .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 .10 .11 .12 .13 .14 .15 .16 .17 .18 .19 http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/bldbill.pl?bi11=S3173.2&session=1s81 3/8/2000 �.F No. 3173, 2nd Engrossment Page 2 of 2 2.zo Yes .. a0-��3 2.21 No . 2.22 Sec. 3. [97A.056] [WILDLIFE AND FISH ENHANCEMENT ACCOUNT; 2.23 REVIEW COMMITTEE.] 2.24 Subdivision 1. (ACCOUNT CREATION.] The wildlife and fish 2.25 enhancement account is established as an account +n the a ame and 2.26 fish fund. � 2.27 Subd. 2. [REVZEW COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP.7 (a) A wildlife and 2.28 fish enhancement account review commictee of nine members is 2.29 created, consistinq of: 2.30 �) two members of the senate appointed bv the subco�n.�nittee 2.31 on committees of the committee on rules and administration• 2.32 �) two members of the house a000inted bv the speaker• 2.33 �3) two public members representina sportinq interests 2.34 appointed bv the subcommittee on committees of the comm�ttee on 2.35 rules and administration; 2.36 �) two public members reoresentina sportinq interests 3.1 appointed by the speaker; and 3.2 �5) the commissioner of natural resources or the 3.3 commissioner's desianee. 3.4 �b) Leaislative members appointed under paraaraoh (a) 3.5 clauses (1) and (2) serve as nonvotina members One member 3.6 from the senate and one member from the house must be from the 3.7 minoritv caucus. Leqislative members are entitled to 3.8 reimbursement for per diem expenses plus travel expenses 3.9 incurred in the services of the committee The comoensation and 3.10 removal of nublic members are as provided in section 15 0575 3.11 �c) Members shall apooint a�chair who shall oreside and 3.12 convene meetinqs as often as necessarv to conduct duties 3.13 prescribed by this section. 3.14 �d) Membership terms shall be two vears exceot that 3.15 members sha11 serve on the committee until their successors are 3.16 apoointed. 3.17 (e) Vacancies occurrinp on the committee shall not a`fect 3.18 the authority of the remainina members of the committee to carry 3.19 out their duties, and vacancies sha11 be filled in the same 3.20 manner under paraqraph (a). 3.21 Subd. 3. [DUTIES OF THE REVIEW COMMITTEE.] � The 3.22 committee shall meet and review s endin lans for 3.23 appropriations from the wildlife and fish enhancement account by 3.24 Januarv 2 of each vear. 3.25 �b) The commissioner must submit a spendinq plan and 3.26 semiannual proqress report based on the review committee's 3.27 recommendations to the aopropriate leqislative committees 3.28 Sec. 4. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 3.29 Sections 1 and 2 are e£fective the dav followina final 3.30 enactment. Section 3 is effective the day following adootion by 3.31 the voters of the constitutional amendment proaosed in section 1 http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/bldbill.pl?bi11=S3173.2&session=1s81 3/8/2000 � Mi550UCt IS .,` .' N�s�caN�i. ` : OUTDOORS'�' EDITOR Blazing sWr blooms on a rare remnant wild prairie in northem Missouri. A vastly expanded privaYe lands program by tbe Missouri DOC helps landowners preserve such areas. �1@ StB�@�S � ack in 1976, a group:otpefition-toting conservationists in Missouri saw their dreaut realized On the night Jimm�z.t�ar�er; was elected president, Missouri voteis approved �Fdng-"�fi$�amendment to their constitution earmarking one-eighth of 1 percent of the state's sales taa for natural resonrces cronservaYion..� The amendment culminated sia years of work by a grass-roots group called;the Citizens.Committee for Conservation. The vote was considered:a revolutionary step in funding fish and wildlife prograzns, and it.turned.the Missoiui Department of Conserva- tion into the envy of every wildlife agency in the nation. "We would be a tremendously different state from a conser- vation perspective without that money," said John Smith, deputy director of the Missouri DOC. That election night in Missouri is now having revesberations in Minnesota, where lawmakecs and cronservation groups want a lang- tetm.5x for the financially ailing Department of Naturat Resources. Under a bill gathering steam in the Minnesota Legislature, voters here would be asked to appmve a ballot measure similaz to the Mis- souri program The proposal would dedicate 3/16 of 1 percent of the state's saies tas to natural resources, parks and zoos It would raise about $112 million annually and would solve money problems plaguing the DNR's fish and wildiife programs, which aze lazgely supported by hunting and fishing license fees. The bIll, w}uch passed the Senate Environment and Natural xesovmes comm;uee on weanes- day, received glowing support from a wide croalition of pazks and zoo advocates, conservation groups and himters and anglers. `Tve never dealt with anything as esciting as what we're doing here today," testified former Vikings coach and avid out- doarsman Bud Grant 17ie Minnesota bill is modeled after the Missouri constitution- al amendment That law today raises about $82 million annual- ly for the Missouri DOC, or about two-thirds of its total budget. Smith said the Missouri sales tas money has enabled the DOC to espand its programs beyond what was possible mmder a budget based on license fees. Among the pmgrams funded by the ta� ■ A state-of-the-art $20 [nillion fish hatchery, recently com- pleted, that will boLster the state's warm-water fishery program. ■ Four nature centers, with a fifth under cronstruction, that are distributed around the state. ■ A private lands program, with 80 employees, that helps land- owners manage their lands to the advantage of 5sh and vvildiife NISKANEN cormNUEO on 19C ► , ,.,.; : 5'�� , JIM RAiHERT/MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION �o��.� �t�7R/'1i�G1, ♦ COMINUED FROM 20C ■ One of the lazgest nongame wil�ife pro- grams in the nation, which focuses on pr� serving and protecting endangered species and other nongame animaLs. ■ A land acqmsition program tLat tias creat- ed hrmdreds of state-owned cronservation and himting. arnas and Cish'mg acce�s po�s. ■ An eapanded ouh�each and information program that fnnds conservation coasultants who provide nat�al resoutce information to the state's teacheis; publishes the free Mis- souri ConservationisE magazine; and produces a series of outdoors-related television and radio programs. Smith said one advantage of the tag program is to spread the cost of cronservation programs to all the state's citizens, not just people who buy hunting and fishing licenses. "Without it, we � would be like all the other states whose budget is based on permit sales," he said "It isn't reasonable in todaq's society to put the entire hurden of natural resources management on the backs of hunters and fishermen." Unlike the &finnesota DPIR, the Missouri DOC is governed by a four-member croaseraa- tion crommis4on made up of atizens from dif- ferent poliflc2l pazties. The DOC's budget is approved by the crommisson, not the state Legislabse. "It takec our fimding base entirely out of fhe political arena," Smith said The Minnesota DNR is run by a commis- sioner appointed hy the governor. Its budget is lazgely set by the governor and approved by the Legislature. The Minnesota sales tas bill would direct 45 percent of the money raised into a new DNR game and fish fund. The expenditures from the fund would be reviewed by a nine- member comurittee of lawmakeis, citizens and the DNR. The Legislature would still have final say in how that money is spent. The rest of the maney would be divided among state parks and traiLs (25 percent), metro parks and trails (25 percent) and local tcai2s and fhe Minncsota, Como and Duluth wos (5 percent). In crontrast to the Mi�ouri plan, the Min- nesota proposal is on the fast track. The bill was intmduced in the Legislahu2last year, where it received little notice But after the bilYs Senate author, Bob Lessard, DFlrinter- nationa( Falls, beBan rall9�B �PPort among pazks and trails advoeates, it quickly gained momentum in the past few weeks. In Missoari, the sales tas initiative took years to unfold. In 1970, three distinguis6ed Missouri conservationists produced a report detailing budget shortages in the state's con- servation�department. A price tag for faing the problems was established at $21 millioa Shortly afterward, the C�tizens Committee for Conservation formed and began a deter- mined effort to'help the state cron5e.rvation age�cy. The fust idea was to add a 1-cent tas on soda pop, and a pefition drive was started to get the proposal on the balIot TLat effort failed in 1972 hecause of a legal technicality. A new petition drive was started by fhe group in 1975 to fund ihe conservation pro- grams with one-eighth of 1 percent of the state sales taa. The group's 208,000 sgnatures put the inifiative on the ballot in 1976. Amendment 1 passed narrowly by 30,000 votes, with most of its support croming frrom urban cro�mties. Several legal challenges to divert the money or portions of it to other sources Lave failed. Supporters of the Minnesota amendment echo the azgument made in Missouri: Every- one, not just hunters and angleis, has a stake in state rnnservation programs. The Minnesota State Lottery, which was sold to Minnesotans 12 years ago on the promise of funding naturat resources pm grams, hasn't lived up to ezpectations. About 27 percent of lottery proceeds go toward the Eavironment and Natural Resources'hvst N�nd, as opposed to the 40 pereent that was originally pmposed. A sales tax of 6.5 percent was added �in 1989 to tottery Ucket sales, drawing money away from the trust fund It is an amount lawmake� also would like to recroup for environmental and 6sU and wildlife pmgi'ams. Bills accomplishing that goal also are making their way through the Le�slature. The Minnesota sales tax proposai faces an uphill battie in the I.egislature. The DNR im't openly svpporting it because t6e department i� focusing on incceasing himting aad fislilng license fees — a shategy favored by Gov. Jesse Ventisa, who ultimately oversees the DNR Ventura's spokesman said t6e governor was skeptical of the sates tax proposal. Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, DFL- E�kine, a key player in the state's budget process, said last week he was opposed to the measure because it dedicates a portion of the state's money to a specific purpose. House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Renyon, said the proposal was "inviting." I,essard is the bill's clrief proponent He knows the prop�al will be the subject of polit- fca! 6ghting and maneuvering, some of which is already under way in the Le�slature. He wants the people of Minnesota to decide the fate of funding which he said will bene6t "our children and our grandchildren. Smith, of the Missouri DOC, said he hopes Miunesota adopts the measute. "I wish more states could be as proactive as Minnesota in considering this funding;' he said. "I'm very pleased to say iYs a good model, and we've demonstrated here in Mis- souri that iYs a model that worlcs." Chns Niskanen can be reached at (651) 22&5524 or o�iskanen�pioneerpress.com . ap� �° "2�� be�raised�annually = " ��' " - . moneyowould go ir�ta the Department of..Natural ; .........r.. G.... .�ifii.ocsvinidA�hn ralnewo�l MI:A�COP(`IA��V;'.�: