ST. PAUL (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams and other Republican officials are urging Minnesotans to vote down a plan to raise the state sales tax for the outdoors and the arts.

Grams and Taxpayers League President Phil Krinkie say they will counter the "Vote Yes Minnesota" campaign with a "Vote No" campaign of their own.
Minnesota voters will decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to increase the sales tax 3/8 of 1 percent. That would raise about $275 million a year to pay for habitat restoration, water cleanup and arts and cultural programs.

Grams said the plan cobbles together too many special interests and the constitution isn't the right place to make tax policy.

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