Every hunter, fisherman, camper, trail user, conservationist, and all who treasure and enjoy our natural resources, should send a "thank you" to State Sen. Carrie Ruud. As chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, she is working on legislation to restore funds that have been stolen by the Legislature from the Minnesota State Lottery. Ruud said that Minnesota voters authorized a state lottery for the purpose of providing funds that would go to the environment. The idea was to provide additional money beyond that which is provided by the state's regular budget. Ruud's legislation would restore about $12 million dollars a year to projects that were the original intentions of the lottery funds.
Years ago, when Vikings Coach Bud Grant was working for this dedicated outdoor funding, he warned legislators to keep their hands "out of the cookie jar." Now they need to replace the lid on that jar.
Jerry Raedeke
Nisswa
