This year, an unlikely (and tenuous) alliance arose in Minnesota between the state’s large population of hunters and fisherman, and those who value the state’s longstanding commitment to the arts. The reason for the partnership was to promote a sales tax hike at the state legislature, with proceeds dedicated to the arts and the conservation of the great outdoors. But as the vote count tightens (the legislature is not terribly enamored of new taxes at the moment,) many on the conservationist side are suggesting that the presence of the “arts and culture crowd” is hurting the bill’s chance of passage.