Vote Yes Express rolls into Fergus Falls

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, October 23, 2008

Backers of amending the Minnesota constitution to include a dedicated funding provision to provide money to protect hunting and fishing habitats, and other projects, are urging fellow Minnesotans to vote yes. Also benefiting would be water sources, parks and trails and the state's arts and cultural heritage.

To accomplish this, the yes vote will be needed on Nov. 4 when Minnesota voters will decide whether to raise the state sales tax. The sales tax increase of three eighths of one percent would generate an estimated $300 million a year.

“The fractional increase in the sales tax would add only four cents to a $10 purchase,” said Ken Martin, part of a delegation traveling through Minnesota Wednesday in a Vote Yes Express van. “Vote yes so that your children and grandchildren can continue to benefit from Minnesota’s quality of life.”

He said that 40 percent of Minnesota’s tested waters are polluted, failing to meet health standards.

Tony Rondeau of Fergus Falls, an active outdoorsman, wore a shirt with the words, “Vote Yes. Protect the Minnesota You Love.”

Another proponent, Les Bensch of Ashby, said the amendment had almost universal support at this year’s Fergus Falls Ducks Unlimited banquet. He said that groups representing hunters, anglers, environmentalists and various arts advocates are campaigning to win voter support for this constitutional amendment.

Wednesday’s press conference, moved to The Daily Journal from outdoors at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center due to rain, was attended by Maxine Adams, executive director of the Lake Region Arts Council, Fergus Falls, and others.

“Passage of this amendment also is of critical importance to us who represent the arts across Minnesota,” she said.

Sheila Smith of MInnesota Citizens for the Arts, said, “I know what a positive impact this amendment will have right here, in Fergus Falls and throughout Otter Tail County. You have great arts communities in this area of Minnesota.”

Martin, from Minneapolis and spokesperson for the Vote Yes Express, said funding support from lottery proceeds do not go far enough to help protect the outdoors and other facets of Minnesota’s quality of life that would benefit from a yes vote.

Knowing of an anti-tax increase point of view, he again said that the modest support of four cents for a $10 purchase would benefit all Minnesotans.

“We call ourselves the state of sky-blue waters,” said Martin. “Let’s work to keep it that way. Here in Otter Tail County, we’re pleased to have the support of hunters, fishermen, environmentalists and various arts advocates.”

Members of the Vote Yes Express said Wednesday that the amendment has the support of Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Also supporting the amendment are U.S. Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar as well as Congressman Collin Peterson.

If the amendment is approved by state voters in November, about 81 percent of the funds will go to the outdoors and 19 percent to the arts.

Hundreds of sportsmen’s clubs such as Fergus Falls Ducks Unlimited, if the amendment passes, will have their banquet dollars matched by this funding package that’s on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Martin said that on election day Minnesotans will have the choice to invest in the things they need — clean water, wildlife habitat, lakes and rivers, parks and the arts. But not voting would be the same as a no vote, he said.

“Passage of dedicated funding is vital to the guarantee of a stable and long-term funding source,” he said. “A yes vote passage is important to all Minnesotans.”