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
September 11, 2000 - Governor Ventura wants to change Minnesota's tax system dramatically so the state would pay all costs of basic education for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The state now pays 70 percent of those costs and the school districts cover the rest through local property taxes. Ventura says his proposal is intended to simplify the tax system. Joining us now with his reaction to the proposal is Minnesota Speaker of the House Steve Sviggum.
September 13, 2000 - A high profile D-F-L senate race wasn't enough to bring voters to the polls for last night's primary. An estimated 16-point-two percent of eligible voters turned out to cast ballots. Joan Growe was Minnesota's Secretary of State for more than two decades. She says the figure is about average for a presidential election year:
September 13, 2000 - Software developer Jim Gibson says as the Independence party candidate for U.S. Senate, he can chart a centrist path between incumbent Republican Rod Grams and the winner of Tuesday's D-F-L primary, Mark Dayton. Gibson, the Indpendence party's endorsed candidate for the senate, easily beat his opponents to clinch his party's nomination. But Gibson says he faces an uphill challenge both in raising the money he needs to compete, and in getting equal treatment among Republicans and Democrats. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 14, 2000 - The price of prescription drugs has emerged as a big issue in this year's political races. Senate candidate Mark Dayton has even taken groups of seniors on a ride to Canada, where they can buy drugs at cheaper prices than they can get here. Those price differences are the topic of a news conference later today in Washington D-C where Senator Paul Wellstone, a Democrat, and congressman Gil Gutknecht, a Republican, will call for the passage of the Prescription Drug RE-importation bill. Joining us on the line is Minnesota's first district congressman, Gil Gutknecht.
September 15, 2000 - Governor Jesse Ventura plunged wholeheartedly into the fall campaign season Thursday, making good on his pledge to help build the Independence Party after the primary election. Ventura stumped for the party's congressional candidates in the morning, and by evening he was working a crowd in Fridley, trying to help the city's D-F-L mayor become an Independence Party legislator. The governor will make appearances on behalf of three MORE Independence Party candidates this weekend, as part of his effort to get some legislative allies at the state Capitol. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 21, 2000 - Governor Perpich died of cancer five years before. Former First Lady Lola Perpich and Rudy Perpich Jr. discuss the governor's legacy.
September 21, 2000 - In Minnesota, Xcel Energy, formerly known as NSP, says customers can expect to pay as much as 50 percent more for natural gas heat this winter. Last month, the company was projecting a 20 percent rise in winter heating bills, but a surge in natural gas prices forced Xcel to revise its forecast. Scott Holtz, a gas supply manager for Xcel Energy, says the world's oil producers are responsible for the rate increase. Both Senator Paul Wellstone and Senator Rod Grams are asking the President to set aside 500 million dollars to help low income families pay for heat this winter. But they don't agree on who's to blame for the sharp increase.
September 27, 2000 - Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports that Governor Jesse Ventura spent the day in St Cloud, talking with students at St. Cloud Tech High School about the importance of voting. Ventura says it's part of his effort to increase turn out at the polls this November. He will also raise money for the Independence Party's U.S. Senate candidate, Jim Gibson.
October 3, 2000 - ** Note host outcue ** A new poll conducted for MPR, the Pioneer Press and KARE-TV finds a mixed reaction to Governor Ventura's proposal to have the state pick up a bigger share of education funding. Voters were divided on the issue, and also split on whether the state should expand the sales tax in order to lower property taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
October 3, 2000 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews David Lillehaug, former Democratic Senate candidate and advisor to Vice President Walter Mondale, discusses preparing for the 1984 presidential debate.