Reply #2: I sent the following email

[burf]

to my State Rep, the Issac Walton League, Dennis Anderson of the Star Trib, and posted it on some hunting forums. I have yet to get an answer to the questions I raised. Here's the email:

I have heard much on the dedicated sales tax proposed for clean water, duck hunting and conservation projects in Minnesota. I have not decided on my support for this initiative.

I have a question. Just how much money is being received by the state now? If you add up the total, it's gotta be alot of money. That begs the follow up of how is this money being spent? Does your organization or anyone you know of have a comprehensive list of funds allocated vs funds spent? I would like some information on this subject. We have funding from every source from Pittman-Robertson to the hunting and fishing licenses, duck stamps, CARA funds, CRP, WRP,CCRP, timber leases, oil and mineral leases, and that's only the beginning. Then on the other side we have the NGOs. Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Delta Waterfowl, local Rod and Gun Clubs, and thats just for starters.

It is difficult to make an informed decision on the funding proposal in question without knowledge of existing expenditures. There are seemingly hundreds of organizations and programs now and the water quality and wildlife habitat seem to be getting worse. Is it a matter of money or management?

Thanks for your time and I look forward to your reply.

Regards

I got a lot of ridicule from the hunting community, a non answer from my rep, and a suggestion that I was against clean water from Anderson.

I am against the amendment for the simple reason that dedicating the funding is a bad idea. In times of a sour economy, our state's leaders need not be hamstrung by an amendment like this.