A long struggle for a state sales tax dedication for the outdoors - one a local lawmaker once proclaimed he'd fall on his sword to see become law - ended on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) with minimum fuss, minimum passion.

On lopsided House and Senate votes lawmakers approved a proposed constitutional amendment that if approved by voters in November would increase the state sales tax by three-eighths percent - harvesting about $244 million per year by 2010.

Sen. Betsy Wergin, R-Princeton, confers with a fellow senator during the Senate debate on the proposed constitutional sales tax dedication amendment on Thursday (Feb. 14). (Photo by T.W. Budig, ECM Capitol Reporter)

by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

A long struggle for a state sales tax dedication for the outdoors - one a local lawmaker once proclaimed he'd fall on his sword to see become law - ended on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14) with minimum fuss, minimum passion.

On lopsided House and Senate votes lawmakers approved a proposed constitutional amendment that if approved by voters in November would increase the state sales tax by three-eighths percent - harvesting about $244 million per year by 2010.

About two-thirds of the revenue would swell outdoor heritage and clean water funds, with about 15 percent going to parks and trails and 20 percent to the arts and cultural heritage.

Former DFL state senator Bob Lessard of International Falls, who began pushing for a sales tax dedication years ago, said advocates have a job to do.

"It's going to be a challenge, for those of us who've pushed this constitutional amendment from the beginning - I mean those in the hunting and fishing community - to take it out to our constituencies," said Lessard.

"We're going to have to go to them and tell them why should vote for this," he said. "And why, if they should not vote for this, we're not going to leave a legacy for future generations," said Lessard.

Hackbarth votes "no"

But Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, who championed a sales tax dedication for years in the House, voted

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