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 4, 2001 - Governor Ventura will give the State of the State speech at 3:00 this afternoon in the house chambers. The event is always a big one at the capitol. It's a rare time when both the House and Senate meet in a joint session. Now, Ventura didn't give a State of the State last year, so legislators say they'll be listening carefully to hear the governor's agenda for the 2001 session. Joining us is Cindy Brucato... she was chief of staff for former Governor Arne Carlson.
January 8, 2001 -
January 8, 2001 - Betty McCollum comments on the increase of women participation in Minnesota politics.
January 9, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that supporters of campaign finance reform say the 2001 session may be the best chance in years to pass significant changes. Governor Jesse Ventura and leaders in both parties say they want to reduce the amount of money flowing into politics.
January 9, 2001 - [Unnamed man] is a tax partner at Aruthur Anderson and teaches a course in state law at the University of Minnesota. He says Ventura's proposal to extend the sales tax is playing very poorly in the business community.
January 12, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that Governor Jesse Ventura has come under fire from lawmakers for taking vacation time during the legislation session and for agreeing to provide color commentary during broadcasts of the upcoming Xtreme Football League. It now appears he's combined the two by stumping for the XFL while vacationing out of town.
January 17, 2001 - MPR's Andrew Haeg presents various local viewpoints on the telecommunication regulations debate. The Ventura administration wants to dramatically change the way the state regulates telecommunications. The goal is to foster competition for telephone and cable customers throughout the state, and, by doing so affordable and advanced services to all Minnesotans.
January 17, 2001 - Some Minnesota lawmakers are looking for someone to blame for soaring natural gas prices. At a Senate committee hearing Tuesday, several Senators questioned whether consumers are getting gouged. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports, the reasons for the high prices aren't that simple...
January 17, 2001 - The Star Tribune reports this morning that Senator Paul Wellstone is expected to announce today that he will seek a third term in the U-S Senate. When he was first elected in 1990 Wellstone pledged that he would serve only two terms. He was also considering a run for Governor in 2002. Chris Gilbert, Chair of the Political Science department at Gustavus Adolphus College says he's not surprised that Wellstone is planning to run for the Senate again.
January 17, 2001 - Term limits have been set for Minnesota politicians since 1990.