Amendment News:
Governor Pawlenty’s proposed 2010-2011 conservation budget appears to be inconsistent with the state constitution in several ways, Conservation Minnesota reported.
The organization’s eighth annual analysis of the proposed state budget for conservation finds that funding for conservation and environmental needs appears to clash with the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment approved by voters last November. That amendment requires that the new funding be a supplement to existing sources of funding and not be used to replace existing funds.
Specifically, the report finds:
• Under the Governor’s proposed budget, overall state general fund spending shrinks 2.2% compared to the previous two-year budget, but conservation spending shrinks 23%. This disproportionate cut signals use of Amendment funds to replace some general fund dollars.
• Specific cuts proposed by the Governor in general fund support may be ‘backfilled’ by new Amendment dollars:
o A 100% reduction in the ongoing general funds for the DNR’s division of Fish and Wildlife;
o A 40% cut to the Clean Water Partnership grants program;
o A 10% reduction in general fund support for Metro Parks.
• Under the Governor’s proposed budget for conservation general fund spending slips to 0.96% of state general fund spending, a modern low. In 2008-09, general fund spending by conservation agencies was $422,488,000. At the time the constitutional amendment was passed, conservation budgets represented 1.23% of state general fund spending. This reduction in the proportion of the general fund for conservation, too, appears to conflict with the constitutional requirement and the voters’ intent to increase funding for conservation.
Click here for the full report.
