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 19, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura's speech on the state’s role in dealing with the farm crisis, held at the Minnesota Rural Summit in Duluth.
August 19, 1999 - A judge today cleared the way for Governor Ventura to referee a pay-per-view wrestling match this weekend. Two complaints accuse the Governor of violating state conflict of interest laws, alleging Ventura is profiting from his office - some estimates say the event could earn the Governor a million dollars in royalties. But Ramsey County Judge Kathleen Gearin refused to stop the Governor from participating in the World Wrestling Federation event, and said elected officials don't have to give up their private interests.
August 19, 1999 - Politicians have been popping up in rural Minnesota like weeds this week- holding forums and meetings on the farm crisis. Senator Paul Wellstone stopped at three south central Minnesota farms today. Senator Rod Grams holds meetings of his own tomorrow in Moorhead, Alexandria, and St. Cloud. They're looking for ideas and backing for their farm proposals, but Congress is unlikely to make significant changes in farm policy without support from folks in town. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports this farm crisis isn't translating well, in the city.
August 20, 1999 - Senator Rod Grams told farmers today in Moorhead, Alexandria and St. Cloud he supports short term aid to help them weather the current farm crisis. But the GOP lawmaker says a free market system is still better than government subsidies. Grams criticized democrats for politicizing the farm crisis by blaming the Republican Freedom to Farm Act for problems in the ag economy.
August 20, 1999 - Governor Ventura says he feels vindicated by a Ramsey Court ruling this week that upheld his right to work for the World Wrestling Federation this Sunday night. Ventura says the court reaffirmed his conviction that his side projects do NOT represent a conflict of interest -- and he turned the tables on his critics, accusing THEM of having conflicts of interest.
August 23, 1999 - Back on his day job today, Governor Ventura is facing some criticism at the capitol. Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe says Ventura's performance as a referee in the main event of last night's Summer Slam wrestling show was demeaning and distasteful. Ventura got better reviews from wrestling fans. Wade Keller edits and publishes the Pro-Wrestling Torch Newsletter in Minneapolis . He was at last night's event.
August 23, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura climbed back into the ring last night -- and for a few fleeting moments, he actually did a little wrestling. Ventura's appearance as a "guest referee" at the World Wrestling FEderation's "Summerslam" event has caused weeks of speculation and some criticism from the state's political establishment, and as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, the Governor's actual performance was somewhat anticlimactic.
August 24, 1999 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews Janet Harvey of Elk River, who has submitted a “Jesse” quilt in the Fine Arts Competition at the Minneosta State Fair. Harvey explains her reason behind the full-size fabric portrait of Governor Ventura.
August 24, 1999 - Last summer, some Minnesotans found themselves waiting up to three months to schedule a drivers license road test. Now, Governor Jesse Ventura and officials from the Department of Public Safety say the wait is over. Ventura says it's all part of a new focus on customer service.
August 30, 1999 - Midday presents a Minnesota Citizens Forum on the future of rural Minnesota, held at the Minnesota State Fair. Panelists Paul Wellstone, Minnesota U.S. senator; Bob Ness, Minnesota state representative and chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Finance committee; and Colleen Landkamer, Blue Earth County commissioner, discuss issues and solutions of the rural farm community.