Environment Funds Would Pay For Property Taxes In Bill

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A proposal from a bipartisan group of Minnesota lawmakers would divert money from two environmental funds to pay for schools, roads and other local needs.

Reports say the two environmental funds are used to buy private property that's often turned over to the state to become protected land.

Local governments are currently reimbursed for lost property taxes through the state's general fund, but the proposal would move that responsibility to the environmental funds.

The bill has bipartisan support in the GOP-controlled House, and Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk says he supports it. But opponents question whether it's constitutional, given the two funds were established in amendments approved by voters.

It's not clear how much the plan would cost the environmental funds.