January 22, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Laura McCallum, MPR’s capitol bureau chief. McCallum previews Governor Ventura’s budget address and probable abortion topic in legislature.
January 24, 2001 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews John Brandl, dean of the Humphrey Institute, about his take on Governor Ventura's two year budget plan. It has been drawing mixed reaction from citizens and lawmakers. Many Democrats are concerned about Ventura's minimal spending increase, and some Republicans have echoed similar concerns. Brandl says Ventura's desire to hold the line on spending is flawed.
January 24, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on reaction to Governor Ventura’s released budget plan which tightens the fiscal reins. When Governor Jesse Ventura took his first stab at the budgeting process two years ago, he acknowledged many of his proposals were based on former-Governor Arne Carlson's work, but Ventura is describing his latest effort as entirely his own. The plan calls for more than a billion dollars in tax relief and holds spending to about the level of inflation.
January 24, 2001 - MPR's Patty Marsicano reports that Governor Ventura's proposed budget for higher education has stunned the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Systems. They say they won't even be able to keep up with inflation, let alone proceed with their plans for vital growth.
January 24, 2001 - MPR's Elizabeth Stawicki reports on that Minnesota's judiciary fared better than many other departments in Governor Jesse Ventura's budget plan. Still, the Governor's budget doesn't fully fund the state court system's major initiative for this legislative session, known as Crimnet. It is an integrated computer system that would allow law enforcement and courts from different jurisdictions to easily share information on criminals.
January 24, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Duluth reporter Chris Julin, who details Governor Ventura’s Duluth visit to talk to citizens and students about the benefits of his budget. Topics included higher education, and the Iron Range economy.
January 24, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura began taking his case to the public in St. Paul with a breakfast at the Governor's Mansion. Meanwhile the lobbying has begun in earnest as groups that feel short-changed by the Governor's budget are starting to rally their supporters.
January 25, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports on Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura in southern Minnesota as he continued to promote his budget plan and fire back at critics. During a stop in Worthington he said one of his most important priorities is to reform telephone service in the state. He says increased telecommunications competition will help business growth in rural areas.
January 25, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the debate over higher education state funding between Governor Jesse Ventura and University of Minnesota president Mark Yudof. Neither side is backing down on what promises to be one of the biggest budget debates this session.
January 25, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Minnesota guitarist Sharon Isbin about her album "Dreams of a World: Folk-Inspired Music for Guitar," which is Grammy-nominated in the best solo instrumentalist category.