State Constitution Amendment on Ballot: What You Need to Know

October 2, 2024

The Minnesota Voters Alliance sent out a notice on September 20 that our ballots will contain a proposed amendment to the State Constitution: Minnesota Amendment 1, Continue to Provide Lottery Revenue to Environment and Natural Resources Fund Amendment (2024).

The amendment includes some provisions that are not getting much attention. We are reprinting key parts of the letter that deserve your attention

Dear Friends,

Beginning today, Minnesota voters will be voting on an important ballot measure to amend the state Constitution. This ballot measure was initiated by Minnesota’s DFL controlled Legislature and voters need to approve it by a majority vote.

What voters will see on their ballot reads as below:

Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Renewal

Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?

There are some important details voters should be aware of before casting a vote on the measure:

• Although this proposal does renew the money to be spent on conservation
  issues, it will result in a change of how the funds are allocated and removes the Legislature from the decision-making process and oversight.
• This would increase the amount of funds collected through the lottery allocated and added to the programs by 20%. With these new funds, they will be disbursed based on equity and disparities (DEI) by a new commission/taskforce with one like the composition of the new flag commission. Eleven positions must be appointed to the Advisory Council and must include 4 tribe members and 4 members from communities of color. These funds will be handed out through grants to non-profits.

Although MVA is not in support of, nor in opposition to, this referendum, we want to make voters aware of important information so they can make an informed vote.

A no vote does not remove the funding from the original amendment/implementation because it has not expired. The current money will continue to fund environmental programs as Minnesotans desire and can be extended, when it does expire, by a simple renewal by the Legislature.

A yes vote would extend the dedication of revenue from the state-operated lottery to the Environment and Natural Resources Fund through December 31, 2050; increase the amount of money that can be spent from the fund each year from 5.5% to 7.0% of the fund's market value; and create a grant program to provide funding for projects related to addressing environmental issues in affected communities, environmental education, and natural resource conservation.