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 3, 2002 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews political analyst Chris Gilbert about Ventura’s upcoming State of the State speech. In a break from the tradition of giving the speech to a live audience, Ventura has decided instead to speak from his official residence. He is not expected to take questions afterward. Gilbert says tonight's fireside chat format suits Ventura.
January 3, 2002 - Former Minnesota Republican Governor Al Quie joins Gary Eichten in the MPR studios to talk about the State of the State. Governor Ventura gives his state of the state at 6:30 Thursday night--we'll have LIVE coverage with immediate comments from Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum and Senate DFL Majority Leader Roger Moe.
January 4, 2002 - Governor Ventura is taking offense about Roger Moe's attacks on Ventura's budget, blaming Ventura on a national deficit. MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura is taking offense about Roger Moe's attacks on Ventura's budget, referring to state's budget shortfall as the "Ventura deficit."
January 4, 2002 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Karen Anderson, mayor of Minnetonka and president of the National League of cities, to get her reaction to Governor Ventura’s State of the State speech that gave broad outlines for his plans to close a projected nearly $2 billion state budget shortfall. He specifically said that aid to local governments is high on his target list for cuts.
January 4, 2002 - On this segment of MPR’s Word of Mouth, host Chris Roberts looks at city politicians and art organizations making a plea for support from Governor Ventura and the Minnesota legislature for funding. MPR’s Laura McCallum also provides a short report.
January 4, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports on Governor Ventura’s final State of the State address of his term. He used the speech to provide Minnesotans with his perspective on the state's budget problems. The state faces a nearly two-billion dollar projected budget shortfall. The governor says if the Legislature doesn't act quickly to solve the problem, he'll use his authority to cut government spending.
January 10, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum provides an overview of Governor Ventura’s budget plan. In a press conference, Ventura outlined his plan for addressing a nearly two-billion dollar projected budget deficit, saying he would not hide behind quick decisions and that everybody is sharing the hurt…and there's plenty of pain to go around.
January 10, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on comments from Ventura's finance commissioner, Pam Wheelock, who says the budget plan will include a combination of spending cuts, tax increases and dipping into the state's budget reserves. She says resolving a deficit of this magnitude will be painful.
January 10, 2002 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports that much of the reception to Ventura's deficit reduction plan is icy. Social program advocates and local government officials say Ventura is balancing the state budget at their expense. Tax opponents say Ventura's plans for higher gasoline, tobacco, and sales taxes hurt working Minnesotans.
January 10, 2002 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on Governor Ventura's budget cut of 1% from the education portion for this coming year…and that he wants to take another 2%-3% the following year. While a smaller cut than other areas of the budget, many educators are concerned at the negative impact cuts will create in areas such as specialized aides, grants, and charter schools receiving less money to lease buildings.