I read something a while back that suggested saying “thank you for your patience” instead of “I’m so sorry for the delay.” So: thank you for your patience! I had some computer problems which I resolved by getting a new computer. Suboptimal timing, but here we are, it’s still September, early voting is just about to start, let’s do this!

Everyone in Minnesota this year will see a statewide constitutional amendment on our ballots. Here’s what it says:

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?

So. As you probably know, we have a State Lottery. We created it back in the late 1980s, and dedicated 40% of that money to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which funds all the stuff mentioned above: water quality, habitat conservation, parks and trails, clean air. That “dedicated percentage” is provided by a law that expires in 2025. We’re voting to extend it to 2050. There’s some more info on this here and an article from MPR here.

The renewal also creates a community grant program that would reserve 1.5% for projects in “underserved communities,” which includes both historically marginalized groups and rural areas.

If it fails, the money will simply go into the general fund like the rest of the lottery money. This is basically a way to guarantee a revenue stream for the natural environment of Minnesota that can’t be turned into tax breaks for the rich if the GOP ever gets back into control.

I can’t find anyone campaigning against this. I couldn’t even find anyone seriously arguing against this in the comments on the editorial supporting it in the Star Tribune. It is broadly agreed to be a good idea. The main risk is that it just slips below the radar and people fail to vote on it because they don’t know much about it. Not voting is counted as a “no” vote.

I am voting yes on this. You should also vote yes! The question here is, “should we continue to spend 40% of lottery proceeds on the environment and natural resources of the state of Minnesota, as we’ve done for the last quarter century” and I think that’s an excellent idea.

I do not have a Patreon or Ko-Fi, but I get a lot of satisfaction by pointing people at fundraisers that I can then see fund. I’m probably going to mix things up later but for now, if you’d like to make a donation to encourage my work, Ms. Pierce at Lucy Craft Laney school in North Minneapolis would like donations to buy snacks for her students and supplies like Lysol wipes (that schools with wealthier families just have the parents send in). She is also looking for funds to buy school supplies, learning materials, and classroom storage, rugs, and flexible seating.