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
January 7, 2000 - Minnesota House Republicans are proposing a Privacy Bill of Rights for Minnesotans. Republicans want to stop state government agencies from selling mailing lists, and force telemarketers to register with the state. The proposal drew criticism from DFL state attorney general Mike Hatch. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports. Republican house majority leader Tim Pawlenty says the electronic exchange of personal data can be frightening.
January 21, 2000 - George Latimer, former St. Paul Mayor; Dick Goebel, of the Second Harvest St. Paul Food Bank and the Food First Coalition; and Bonnie Becker of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, discuss the topic of hunger in Minnesota.
February 11, 2000 - Midday’s Gary Eichten spends the hour talking with Sharon Sayles Belton, mayor of Minneapolis, about what she sees as the state and health of the city. Topics include crime prevention and affordable housing, amongst others. Sayles Belton also answers listener questions.
February 29, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura wraps up his National Governor's Association trip to Washington DC this afternoon. Last night the governor co-hosted a Minneapolis Convention and Visitor's Bureau dinner with Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton. Today he meets with Minnesota's congressional delegation. Ventura will also lobby for federal legislation to help Hmong refugees who helped the United States during the Vietnam War.
February 29, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura is on his way back to Minnesota after several days in Washington, DC for a National Governors' Association meeting. This afternoon, before leaving the nation's Capitol, Ventura met with Minnesota's congressional delegation. He also lobbied a key member of Congress about a naturalization bill that would help Hmong veterans.
March 23, 2000 - MPR’s Brandt Williams profiles Neva Walker, a Minneapolis resident looking to become the first Black woman elected to the Minnesota Legislature. Walker, DFL-endorsed candidate for District 61B, is a local activist born in raised in South Minneapolis and project coordinator for United Way of Minneapolis program.
March 30, 2000 - On this Midday, Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson talks about charges his administration was improperly involved in the threat to move the Twins and gain a new ballpark. Program also includes a talk with Twins President Jerry Bell.
April 26, 2000 - Eugene McCarthy, former Minnesota senator and former presidential candidate, visits MPR studios to talk with Gary Eichten about politics, journalism, and 25 years after the end of the Vietnam War. McCarthy also answers listener call-in questions.
May 12, 2000 - Hmong veterans will have to wait to hear about legislation that would allow them to take the US Citizenship test in their own language. The US Senate has set aside the bill until at least next week. Hmong veterans were pleased when the House passed the legislation last week. But things have gotten bogged down in the Senate, where there is disagreement over details of the bill. Democrat Paul Wellstone supports the House bill, while Republican Rod Grams has introduced a slightly different one. Senator Grams joins us now.
May 24, 2000 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Walter Mondale, former U.S. ambassador to Japan and former vice-president, on congressional bill that would allow China permit normal trade status. Following Mondale interview, David Foster, director of the NW quadrant of states for the United Steelworkers of America, shares his view on the bill and its impact.