Photo: Legacy.mn.gov

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - October 11, 2024


This November, Minnesota voters will have the opportunity to renew a constitutional amendment in place since 1988: the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). Often known as the Minnesota State Lottery funds, this constitutional amendment allocates 40% of lottery proceeds to fund conservation projects around the state. 

According to Minnesotans For Our Great Outdoors (MORO), a campaign group made up of over 125 businesses, organizations, and government entities working to educate Minnesotans about the constitutional amendment to renew lottery funding for the ENRTF, over "$1 billion has been invested to help restore and protect our water, land, and wildlife," or $80 million a year. When the vote to amend the constitution was proposed 36 years ago, 77% of Minnesotans voted in favor. 

As stated above, 40% of lottery proceeds are allocated to the ENRTF, which is overseen by the Minnesota Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The LCCMR consists of 17 members: five Minnesota Senators, five Minnesota Representatives, five citizens appointed by the Governor, one citizen appointed by the Senate, and one citizen appointed by the House.

The LCCMR makes recommendations to the MN Legislature regarding funding for environmental and natural resource projects throughout the state. Presently, the funding source the LCCMR works with is primarily the ENRTF; however, the Commission has been around since 1963. 

Some examples of projects that have taken place with ENRTF funds are moose, loon, and wolve surveys; new campgrounds, trails, and recreation areas; providing funds for cover crops and soil health initiatives; stream restoration; and more, according to MORO. 

While the ballot question asks Minnesotans to renew the amendment, the vote also includes some minor changes and additions to the ENRTF. 

Boreal Community Media reached out to Liz Deering, Communications Director for Conservation Minnesota, to learn more. 

One addition to the ENRTF is for a Community Grants Program. Deering said, "The new community grants program was created to create greater access to lottery funding by making the process easier for smaller rural communities and small organizations" throughout the state. This will also add an additional 1.5% of the ENRTF each year to the new program.

Language in the original amendment will be clarified around using funds for wastewater infrastructure. Initially, the constitutional dedication stated that up to 5% of ENRTF funds could be used as a loan for wastewater infrastructure improvements. However, according to Deering, the funds have never been used for this purpose because legislative bonding funds are more accessible and available. "The dedication of lottery funds was never intended for wastewater infrastructure. These wastewater projects are expensive, funding would be used up quickly if wastewater was permitted. Unfortunately, this language has caused confusion (and occasional contention) as some legislators have assumed any and all ENRTF funds can be used for wastewater treatment. The new language clears up this misunderstanding."

Critics of the ENRTF fund say the money can be used for projects that are not in accordance with the constitutional language. Most recently, in 2018, some legislatures changed the law to allow funds to be used for wastewater cleanup, when the language in the amendment specifically says it can't be used for that, except in certain instances when the money can be borrowed. Some legislatures argue that the funds should be available for use in these situations. 

Other arguments against the amendment renewal include the fact that Commission members are appointed by the Minnesota legislature rather than voted on by the public and the length of time the amendment would be approved until it appears on the ballot for renewal. 

If Minnesotans vote "yes" to renew the amendment, 40% of net lottery proceeds will continue to be dedicated to the ENRTF for another 25 years. 

Specific language on the ballot is as follows: 

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?

Yes

No

Failure to vote on a constitutional amendment has the same effect as voting no. 

To learn more about the ENRTF, click here.

To see a sample ballot for the state of Minnesota, visit the Secretary of State website here.

To learn more about voting in Cook County, click here.