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
March 25, 2002 - The mayor of Minneapolis joined state lawmakers and mental health advocates at the Capitol today to support a bill to make it easier for police officers to commit someone having a mental health crisis. They say the bill will help prevent tragedies. Two weeks ago, an apparently delusional Minneapolis man was shot and killed after confronting police with a machete. But some in the mental health field say with funds dwindling, there's no place to bring people in crisis. MPR’s Art Hughes presents this report on gathering.
March 26, 2002 - The Senate has given preliminary approval to a budget balancing bill that erases the state's debt for the current biennium and tackles a portion of the debt in the next two-year budget. The bill uses accounting shifts and several tax increases to cover the projected $439 million remaining in the deficit. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 28, 2002 - Minnesota lawmakers are heading home today for the beginning of the Easter-Passover holiday. They won't return to work until Tuesday. House and Senate leaders had actually hoped to finish their work by yesterday afternoon, but now say it will be a struggle to wrap up anytime soon. They have yet to agree on some major bills, including the budget, bonding, and transportation funding packages. We called two local editorial page writers for their perspectives on developments the capitol... Steve Dornfeld from the Pioneer Press and Lori Sturdevant (STURR-dah-vint) from the Star Tribune. Sturdevant says that while the session began at a fast pace, lawmakers have now returned to a more normal speed.
March 29, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews students on who will be meeting with R.T. Rybak about community issues. A group of students from South High School in Minneapolis want to solve the social problems they see around them, and they'll get a chance to share their ideas with mayor R.T. Rybak. The students were asked what they'd like to change about their community. Ryan Peterson and Nora Williams are two students who will meet with the mayor. Peterson says the students first identified the issues that affected their community the most. One planned topic of discussion is police profiling.
March 29, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that Governor Ventura has renewed his threats to veto any proposed tax increases by the Minnesota Legislature and hinted he may call lawmakers back for a special session. Ventura said he was unhappy that only a few lawmakers are negotiating their budget balancing, transportation, and bonding proposals behind closed doors.
April 2, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Steve Minn, former Minneapolis City Council member, about R.T. Rybak’s upcoming first State of the City address. It’s been three months since Rybak took office. After campaigning on issues like affordable housing, and restoring trust in City Hall, Rybak has had to handle a series of high-profile events, in addition to focusing on his stated agenda.
April 2, 2002 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak delivered his first State of the City speech, exactly ninety days after taking the political helm at City Hall. Rybak emphasized four issues that he says need special attention in the months ahead. He says Minneapolis needs to manage its money better, build more affordable housing and protect the environment. He also wants the city to be more welcoming to its various cultural groups. William Wilcoxen’s report also includes commentary about mayor’s speech from community activists and Minneapolis police chief.
April 3, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with historian Hy Berman about Nellie Stone Johnson, an influential leader in civil rights and labor movements, who passed away on April 2nd, 2002. Johnson was 96 years old.
April 9, 2002 - Minnesota's public television stations can move ahead with plans to convert to digital transmission. The Senate voted 53-5 today to override Governor Ventura's veto of about 8 (M)million dollars in state funding. The move follows a similar vote yesterday in the House. The bill will provide money to ten stations in Minnesota that are trying to meet a federal requirement to broadcast digital signals by May 2003. Jim Pagliarini (PAL-yah-REE-nee) is president and CEO of Twin Cities Public Television. He says he is thrilled by the overrride:
April 12, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on atmosphere at ballpark and Minnesota State Capitol with the potential that 2002 home opener may be the team’s last.