Legacy Amendment Spending Reports Fall Short

ST. PAUL  (AP) - It's been three years since Minnesota voters authorized a sales tax increase to raise money for conservation, arts and parks, but the state is unable yet to provide a public comprehensive listing of the funded projects and their outcomes.

A quarter of the $456 million allocated in the first two years of the Legacy
Amendment is not listed on the state website that's supposed to be the primary resource for displaying where and how the money is spent. And while the site lists broad programs receiving money, details are often lacking.

The reporting problems make it difficult to judge how well tax money is being spent.

The Legislative Auditor will report in mid-November on how well the accountability and oversight mechanisms are working.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)