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
December 12, 2002 - In Rochester Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty today agreed to a genomics research partnership with the Mayo Clinic. The announcement comes a year after Mayo leaders said they'd be lobbying for more state funding. Mayo officials claim other nationally known medical centers already receive public funding and the clinic doesn't want to lose its position as a pre-eminent research institution. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports. {Pawlenty would not talk specifically about how much money the state is willing to give to the research partnership. But last year Mayo Clinic said it needed $80 million over the next four years to become a leader in the rapidly developing field of genomics.
December 13, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Keith Ellison, a State Representative from Minneapolis, about State budget shortfall. Solving the budget shortfall will be the top priority of the Republican caucus, that issue was also the top of a meeting last night in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Urban League, the NAACP, and the Council on Black Minnesotans met to discuss their ideas for the upcoming session.
December 16, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo presents highlights of four years with Governor Jesse Ventura, and Minnesota's brief experiment with three-party government.
December 17, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum examines Governor Jesse Ventura’s legacy, taking a look at taxes, state budget, education, light rail, deficit, and judiciary.
December 20, 2002 - Governor Ventura has denied Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty's request to stop the state's aid payment to local governments. Cities and counties are scheduled to receive half of their annual aid payment on December twenty-sixth. Pawlenty asked Governor Ventura yesterday (THURS) to delay that payment so he would have more options when it comes to balancing the state's budget. Local government officials say they're relieved but also know they won't be held harmless in the upcoming session. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 27, 2002 - The year 2002 brought Minnesota one of it's most remarkable elections; record spending, unprecendented national attention ... and the death of a political icon. Today at noon on MIDDAY, we'll have a special report on the 2002 Senate race put together by Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik. Here's an excerpt from the program, picking up with the day of the plane crash that killed Paul and Sheila Wellstone, their daughter along with three campaign workers and two pilots. Wellstone campaign manager Jeff Blodgett recalls his last conversation with the senator.
December 30, 2002 - When the 2003 Legislature convenes next week the main task facing lawmakers and Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty is how to deal with a four-and-a-half billion dollar budget deficit. The financial squeeze will affect almost every decision they make in the next few months. Yet just a couple of years ago, state officials were swimming in a sea of cash. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum looks at the dramatic downturn in Minnesota's economy - and what the state's leaders plan to do about it...
December 31, 2002 - If voters knew one thing about Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty it was this: under no circumstances, he said, would he raise state taxes. Now, governor-elect Pawlenty is facing a $4.5 billion budget deficit over the next two years, far bigger than most had anticipated. Pawlenty says the unexpected size of the shortfall hasn't diminished his resolve to stand tough on taxes. But critics say his pledge could damage the state's long-term prospects. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
January 3, 2003 - Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty will be sworn into office on Monday. Pawlenty has already made several appointments, including Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau as transportation commissioner. And yesterday, he named his longtime friend and colleague Charlie Weaver as chief of staff. Weaver served as commissioner of public safety under Governor Ventura and led Pawlenty's transition team. Commissioner Weaver joins us on the phone this morning.
January 3, 2003 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on what is likely to be Governor Jesse Ventura’s last news conference as Minnesota's chief executive. Ventura has had a sometimes difficult relationship with the reporters who cover him, and although event was cordial, it was in many ways characteristic of previous appearances before the men and women he knew as "jackals."