Over the decades, MPR has presented the many different perspectives of Minnesota politics and politicians. This collection is home to a multitude speeches, interviews and debates on the issues of the day. Important topics of civil rights, environment, crime, budget, legislation, and campaigns are addressed.
Click on link to these well-known figures to see audio segments directly related to them: Michele Bachmann Arne Carlson Keith Ellison Hubert Humphrey Amy Klobuchar Eugene McCarthy Walter Mondale Tim Pawlenty R.T. Rybak Jesse Ventura Paul Wellstone
April 23, 1999 - With no Reform Party members in the legislature, Governor Ventura has no party allies, and is turning to technology to lean on lawmakers. The latest project of "JesseNet" - the Ventura administration's online network of supporters - is Legislature Watch Teams, volunteers who will try to pressure lawmakers to support the Governor's policies. The first team is being organized in the district of a key lawmaker opposed to Ventura's light rail proposal.
April 26, 1999 - Minnesotans concerned about the plight of Kosovar Albanians have been given the chance to contribute to relief efforts -- and to tap their feet. Last night, the Minnesota Czechoslovak Center sponsored a benefit rock concert for Balkan refugees at the State Theater in Minneapolis. The event featured the rock band Three Dog Night and was briefly attended by Governor Jesse Ventura and Czech President Vaclav Havel.
April 26, 1999 - Democratic Presidential candidate Bill Bradley made a campaign swing through Minnesota and Iowa over the weekend, picking up the endorsement of Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone. Bradley lags behind Vice President Al Gore at this early stage of the race for the Democratic nomination. But many Minnesota Democrats say they're taking Bradley more seriously, now that Wellstone is backing his campaign.
April 27, 1999 - The Minnesota House has approved a bill to spend $7-point-8 Billion dollars on K-through-12 schools over the next two years. The bill is $90 Million dollars more than Governor Ventura budgeted, and spends almost one Billion dollars more than in the previous two-year period. Still, many Democrats say the legislation doesn't spend enough on all school districts.
April 27, 1999 - 2nd District Congressman David Minge today put one foot in the race to challenge Republican U.S. Senator Rod Grams. The DFLer from Montevideo announced the formation of a so-called "exploratory committee," which will allow him to raise funds for the 2000 race without formally calling himself a candidate.
April 28, 1999 - Senate DFL leaders say they'll cut deeper into income tax rates than they originally proposed last week. The plan announced Tuesday cuts car tab fees and the lower two income tax rates. DFLers says the proposal is aimed at the middle class, but House Republicans scoff at the package, which is still about a billion dollars less than their plan.
April 29, 1999 - Minnesota lawmakers would be able to accept a cup of coffee or a cookie from a lobbyist, under legislation that passed the Senate yesterday. The Senate voted 42-to-19 for a bill relaxing the total ban on lobbyists gifts. But House Speaker Steve Sviggum says he won't let the provision pass the House.
May 6, 1999 - Governor Ventura today turned to history to help him make his case against the Republican tax cut plan. Ventura's staff organized what might be called a "teach-in" at the Minnesota History Center, with former Governor Al Quie and other veteran politicians reminiscing about the great state budget crisis of 20 years ago. The Governor believes the Republican tax cuts could cause that scenario to repeat itself; Republicans say Ventura is being too pessimistic. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
May 7, 1999 - A special Midday broadcast from the IDS Crystal Court in downtown Minneapolis. MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton. Topics include downtown development planning, proposed light rail, and crime prevention. Sayles Belton also answers audience and listener questions.
May 21, 1999 - Clean-up time has begun at the state capitol. Legislative leaders and the Governor's staff are beginning to sift through the thousands of pages of legislation passed in the final few hours of the session on Monday -- with an eye to weed some of it out before it has a chance to become law.