FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2020
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AS ABSENTEE BALLOTS REACH VOTERS THIS WEEK, BI PARTISAN COALITION URGES MICHIGANDERS TO VOTE YES ON PROP 1
The 2020 Election Cycle will Result in an Unprecedented Number of Mail-in Ballots – Now More than Ever it is Critical to Educate Voters about Down Ballot Issues
MICHIGAN – As absentee ballots are sent to voters this week, Vote Yes for MI Water, Wildlife and Parks, a bi-partisan coalition of land conservation, environmental, business and labor leaders, urges Michiganders to vote yes on Proposal 1.
Proposal 1 is a statewide ballot proposal that would update and expand the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) and the State Park Endowment Fund (SPEF) for land conservation and public recreation without raising taxes.
“Michigan voters will make critically important decisions this election, and not just on the presidential race. Proposal 1 gives Michiganders the opportunity to have a say in our conservation and recreation legacy,” said Jonathan Jarosz from Heart of the Lakes, the association of Michigan’s land conservancies. “By updating and expanding the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Prop 1 will have a far-reaching impact on Michigan’s clean water sources, wildlife habitats and parks for future generations.”
Proposal 1 was put on the November ballot unanimously by the Michigan legislature. Voters now have the opportunity to vote yes on Proposal 1 to remove the cap on the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, allowing it to again receive royalties from the oil and gas industries – not taxpayer dollars – to fund land conservation and public recreation across all 83 counties. Prop 1 would also adjust the formula for how funds may be allocated, creating the flexibility needed to support both access to and protection of our Great Lakes and great outdoors.
“All summer Michiganders turned to their local parks, trails and outdoor spaces to commune and connect safely,” said Conan Smith from Michigan Environmental Council. “That connection does not need to end with the cold weather. Whether you are voting absentee or on Election Day, a vote for Proposal 1 is a vote to protect and improve access to the places we care about in every community across the state.”
Vote Yes for MI Water, Wildlife and Parks is using a number of tactics to reach a broad audience of voters across the political spectrum, including a six-figure paid media campaign.
For more information on the campaign, visit www.MIWaterWildlifeParks.com.
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About Vote YES FOR MI Water, Wildlife and Parks
The Vote YES for MI Water, Wildlife and Parks is a broad and diverse coalition formed to encourage Michiganders to vote YES on Proposal 1 this November to protect our drinking water, wildlife habitats and parks for future generations. For more information, visit www.MIWaterWildlifeParks.com.