January 25, 2001 - MPR’s Chris Julin reports on speech event by Governor Jesse Ventura at University of Minnesota in Duluth. The Governor is traveling around the state, trying to sell Minnesotans on his proposed budget. Some of the loudest criticism of the budget plan is coming from university and college administrators who say the governor's proposal will make them lose good professors, and raise tuition.
January 30, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura's tax bill got its first committee hearing at the State Capitol. Ventura's ambitious series of tax cuts and reforms faces an uncertain future. Even the bill's chief House author doesn't completely support all of it.
January 31, 2001 - Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz joins Midday’s Gary Eichten in the MPR studios to talk about the state of the judicial system in Minnesota. Focus of conversation is on how state court system is overwhelmed handling two million cases a year and the need for more funding. Justice Blatz also answers listener call-in questions.
February 9, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes provides a summary report on Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton’s 2001 State of the City address. the mayor highlighted successful city initiatives, lower unemployment and crime, downtown construction, and a strong arts in downtown.
February 15, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports that Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton kicked off her re-election campaign with a bus tour designed to highlight the successes of her administration and her plans for a third term.
February 15, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with DFL State Representative Betty Folliard, a supporter of Displaced Homemaker Program, which a Senate committee has unanimously approved a bill that would continue funding. The 23-year-old program is designed to help stay-at-home moms who are widowed, divorced, or abandoned and Folliard says the program is still necessary.
February 16, 2001 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports from downtown St. Peter, where Governor Ventura was visiting business owners and residents to pitch his budget proposals and tax reform agenda. Ventura’s plan includes cutting income and property taxes, but raising the sales tax.
February 19, 2001 - MPR's Andrew Haeg reports on a bill that would limit the governor and other constitutional officers from receiving money for outside work has passed its first major test. The House Governmental Operations Committee approved the bill, and will soon send it to a vote by the full House.
February 28, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that state officials released the latest revenue forecast, which for the first time in nine years shows a drop in projected revenues from the previous forecast. Minnesota lawmakers will have about 600-million dollars less than expected for tax cuts and spending increases over the next two years.
March 5, 2001 - MPR’s Lorna Benson speaks with Ann Bancroft’s mom, Debbie Bancroft, about what she has heard from her daughter on her trip to ski across the 1,700 miles of Antarctica.