$54m for the arts? Well, maybe.

Today, Minnesotans are voting on a proposed amendment to their state constitution that would, through a .375% increase in state sales tax, provide an additional revenue of approximately $274 million to the state per year for "natural resources and the arts". An estimated $54 million of this revenue (or just under 20%) would be earmarked for the arts in Minnesota each year.
Bundling this increased arts funding with a funding increase for state parks and conservation has caused a few raised eyebrows, but it's been largely defined as a "cultural heritage funding" proposal, which brings hunters and choreographers together in one package.  People that find it hard to see an extra .375% added to their sales tax (and MN does have a rather high sales tax, especially in Hennepin County) for arts funding may be motivated to find that extra three-eighths of one percent to help fund wildlife conservation efforts and support of the outdoor activities they love.  This isn't framed as a permanent increase (it's slated to run from 2009-2034, if it passes), and $54 million spread across the entire state arts budget allocation isn't going to mean huge changes to any one organization's budget.  Still... for a small organization with an annual budget in the $1 million range, imagine what an extra $200,000 might mean. 
That extra seven cents tacked onto my purchase of a $9.99 dvd seems manageable to me- but will a majority of Minnesotans agree?

-Dana Horst