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
June 17, 1999 - Talk of Governor Ventura's presidential qualities was in the air at the state capitol yesterday after the San Francisco Chronicle ran a story claiming more Californians knew and like Ventura than their own governor. It turns out the newspaper story over-stated the case a little, but it forced Governor Ventura to explain once more that he has no intention of running for president in 2000.
June 17, 1999 - Today, June 17th, is the 90th birthday of former Minnesota governor Elmer L. Anderson. Few Minnesotan's who held public office are held in as high esteem as the 90-year-old Arden Hills resident.
June 18, 1999 - Governor Ventura today invited people who support public financing for a new Twins stadium to donate their own money to the effort. On his weekly radio show today, Ventura said he intends to set up a state-run gift fund for new sports stadiums. Some state leaders have dismissed the surprise proposal as a joke, but the donation fund may undermine the current effort by Minneapolis and St Paul officials to build a new stadium with tax dollars.
June 18, 1999 - A Ramsey County judge has again denied bail for a St. Paul woman accused of being a former member of the Symbionese Liberation Army. Authorities say Kathleen Soliah wanted in California on charges of conspiracy to murder police officers - has been living quietly in St. Paul as Sara Jane Olson for more than a decade. Governor Ventura said today he will not block her extradition to California.
June 22, 1999 - The debate continues over building a new baseball stadium in downtown St. Paul. Last night, Mayor Norm Coleman hosted his second community forum on bringing the Minnesota Twins across the river. The event was more orderly than the mayor's first attempt at presenting his ballpark proposal. That discussion -- late last week -- was disrupted when opponents interrupted several speakers. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports this time the process may have been more civil, but the two sides are as far apart as ever.
June 23, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura is in Washington, D.C. through tomorrow to lobby Clinton administration officials and members of Congress on behalf of Minnesota farmers. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik is in the nation's capitol with the governor and has this report.
June 24, 1999 - Noel Kjesbo is a grain farmer in west central Minnesota who's been following Governor Ventura's trip to Washington with interest.
June 24, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura will testify before a congressional subcommittee in Washington today in support of a Clinton administration-backed plan to change dairy farm price payments. Ventura arrived in Washington yesterday for a two-day lobbying effort on behalf of Minnesota farmers.
June 24, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura today appealed to Congress for changes in the nation's dairy pricing system. Ventura arrived in Washington, D.C. yesterday for two days of lobbying he hopes will improve conditions for Minnesota farmers.
June 25, 1999 - Governor Ventura is showing increasing irritation at what he perceives as unfair criticism of the way he does his job. He's especially annoyed at his Republican critics, and on his weekly radio show today, Ventura lashed out with a personal attack on the leader of a conservative anti-tax group.