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
August 4, 1999 - The Senate has approved a seven billion dollar Republican-sponsored farm aid bill. A more expensive Democratic proposal was defeated. A final version still must be worked out with the House, so cash probably will not flow until fall. Minnesota Republican Senator Rod Grams says the emergency funding is necessary, and that Freedom to Farm, the nation's current market-oriented farm policy, isn't causing the farm crisis.
August 6, 1999 - Governor Ventura spent about half an hour this afternoon listening to tax reform suggestions from everyday Minnesotans. The 17 people spent the week getting a crash course in how the state's tax system works, then putting together a package of modest reform suggestions. The process is a public-policy experiment called a "Citizens Jury," and it's run by a private research organization known as the "Jefferson Center". The Ventura administration says it plans to take the jury's verdict seriously.
August 9, 1999 - President Richard Nixon resigned 25 years ago today. We'll talk about his legacy with William Berman, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Toronto, author of "America's Right Turn: From Nixon to Clinton." We'll also talk to former Minnesota Republican Congressman and Governor Al Quie.
August 13, 1999 - On this Midday program, Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton talks about her budget priorities, drop in crime, education, taxes, housing, ideas for a new ballpark, and other city matters. Sayles Belton also answers listener questions.
August 16, 1999 - Governor Ventura will tour the state tomorrow to drum up support for a unicameral legislature. Ventura wants to persuade lawmakers to let voters decide the issue in the 2000 election. It would take a constitutional amendment to reduce the House and Senate to one body. The governor is also expected to recommend that members of the unicameral Legislature be non-partisan, meaning candidates would carry no party designation on ballots. Minnesota had a non-partisan legislature up until the early 1970's. Former Minnesota Governor Wendell Anderson, a Democrat, served in the legislature then. He says it was non-partisan in THEORY, but not in practice.
August 16, 1999 - Saying he wants to put the farm crisis on the national agenda U-S Senator Paul Wellstone today started a weeklong series of meetings in northwestern Minnesota. Wellstone tried to give hope to farmers discouraged by years of bad crops and low prices.
August 16, 1999 - The state is in the process of sending out almost 2 Million tax rebate checks, worth a total of $1-point-3 Billion dollars. Some Minnesotans recieved their money over the weekend, and Revenue Department officials say all checks should arrive by Labor Day.
August 17, 1999 -
August 17, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura toured the state today to promote a plan to cut the size of the legislature from two houses to one. Ventura says a one house, or unicameral, system will make government more accessible to citizens by simplifying the legislative process. Opponents say the state needs two houses to maintain a system of checks and balances.
August 18, 1999 - The watchdog group Common Cause Minnesota today filed a complaint against Governor Jesse Ventura, alleging the Governor violated state conflict of interest laws by agreeing to guest referee a pay-per-view wrestling match. The law prohibits state employees from profiting from their positions. Some estimates say Ventura could make a million dollars in fees and royalties from the World Wrestling Federation event this weekend, which is raising eyebrows among many political leaders.