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 14, 2003 -
January 14, 2003 -
January 15, 2003 - People in Grand Rapids are wondering what will happen to their town with the sudden lay-off of 300 workers at the Blandin Paper plant last week. Governor Tim Pawlenty went to Grand Rapids yesterday to talk with workers and company representatives. And he held a community meeting. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has this report.
January 15, 2003 - Minnesota state agencies, non-profits and universities are looking at ways to trim their budgets to deal with Governor Pawlenty's proposed budget cuts. The Governor yesterday released his plan to eliminate a projected 356-Million dollar deficit in the last half of fiscal year 2003. Pawlenty wants to use one-time money, and make cuts to state agencies, programs and higher education. This is just the first round of budget cuts. In the next fiscal year, Minnesota is facing a projected 4-point-2 Billion dollar deficit. While the Governor is busy trying to balance the state's finances--his actions are having an effect on many Minnesota institutions. The University of Minnesota is facing a cut of 25-Million dollars in state funding. Christine Maziar (may -tsar) is the executive vice president and provost for the U of M. She says the proposed cuts are a big blow to the University:
January 16, 2003 -
January 17, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty today FRIDAY appointed former DFL senator Gene Merriam to lead the state Department of Natural Resources. Merriam is a vice-president for ECM publishers and served for 22 years in the state Senate. He was a key player in the Senate, heading the Finance committee and the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee. As DNR commissioner he will face a number of challenges, including a shrinking budget and a host of competing interests. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
January 17, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is expected to publicly reveal his choice for Department of Natural Resources commissioner later today. Gene Merriam is a former DFL state senator from Coon Rapids. His name rose to the top of the list after an intense 2-month search for the right person for the job. He met Pawlenty's requirement that the DNR commissioner be an outdoors enthusiast. Merriam is also a former chair of the Senate Finance and Environment and Natural Resources committee... and cosponsored a bill that created the state's environmental trust fund. Republican Dennis Ozment is chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee. He says he's pleased with the announcement.
January 24, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and his commissioner of Trade and Economic Development presented their proposal for Tax free zones in Hibbing today. The proposal is designed to encourage new business and job growth in outstate Minnesota. Earlier in the day, the Governor visited Keewatin where he talked with representatives of National Steel Pellet and its labor union. Another steel company has bid on National Steel Pellet's parent company--- but the Minnesota taconite producer is not included. Local union officials are worried about the plants future as a result. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher is in Hibbing and joins us on the line
January 28, 2003 -
January 29, 2003 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews John Munger about the first annual City of Lakes Loppet ski race. The lack of significant snow cover in the Twin Cities isn't going to derail event. Organizers are working to install a shortened course on the ice of Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. The race was conceived by R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, as a way to help designate the city "the urban sports capitol of America." Munger, the race’s director, says experts from Mora's popular Vasaloppet ski marathon are tackling the difficult job of grooming the icy course.