I struggle with this logic.  I want to support parks and libraries by electing like minded people to local government that will put in place a budget that ensures these institutions remain viable.  I don't want this referendum to be used as an excuse to cut future budgets to parks and libraries.  Don't think that can happen?  Look at the argument being made for the Vikings stadium using money from the Legacy Amendment.  I have talked to local DNR officials about the budget cuts this year and the implication that they will fill the gap with grants form the Legacy Amendment.  This is explicitly forbidden in the wording of the amendment but the legislature can set any budget it wants.  Please don't take this rant the wrong way, since I plan to vote yes on this referendum.  However, I don't believe that this ensures that these budgets cannot be cut in some future time and back-filled with this allocated money.

You have Parks then you have Recreation.  The Parks employees would be more numerous than commissioners if the majority of them had not been reassigned to the Public Works Department.
Based on this knowledge I'd guess you have to track Parks funding between departments.
Recreation funding was severely gutted.  Although if you combine the salaries of those at the top it's quite an eye opener.

And, Sharla is absolutely spot on!  It has started, but we have to persevere and grow.

The problem is simple, i'm surprised more people don't get it:

Remove money from the Government's revenue stream by giving or continuing tax cuts = less money for government to do its business and provide needed services = closing libraries, laying off teachers, firemen and police officers, infrastructure crumbles.

i've said this so much lately that i think it's becoming a mantra: the Government isn't broken, politics is. Politics is concerned with ideology, which only benefits those who ascribe to it. I'm not opposed to "living within our means," I'm quite used to doing that on a familial level, but how are we as a society supposed to do that when those means are continually shrinking because someone doesn't want to pay his or her share of the upkeep?

I will be voting Yes! Parks and recreation programs are important for attracting and keeping young families in Duluth - and we need them.  Libraries are important for people seeking work, for families with kids, for their cultural programs - we need them! These are essential programs and services for Duluth to be a healthy and vibrant city.

The statewide average for school districts is $936 per student; Duluth spends $365.60 per student. The money would be spent on additional course offerings and reducing class sizes. These figures are from the DNT. I am willing to shell out the $$ for the levy, but not for the DNT archived article.