ST. PAUL - A Minnesota House committee voted against giving the White Earth Nation nearly $2.2 million to buy land for wildlife habitat.
Wednesday's 13-8 vote in a House natural resources committee came on an amendment by state Rep. Steve Green, R-Fosston, who said he is a member of the White Earth Nation. He said that he did not want to take the property, now privately owned, off the tax rolls.
"As a tribal member, I can tell you that property taxes are killing us," Green said.
Forty percent of Clearwater County is government owned and taxable, he added.
But White Earth official Lorena Vogt said the $2.2 million appropriation would be a good deal because the nation could get land for $1,000 an acre.
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"There is a need for hunting properties and recreational properties, not only for tribal members but for members of the community," she said.
The overall bill funds a wide variety of outdoors projects at a nearly $101 million cost for the next two years. After a 12-9 vote on the bill, it moves to other House committees.
