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 30, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty today (Thurs) proposed stricter work requirements for welfare recipients. Pawlenty's proposal would require welfare recipients to look for a job before they're eligbile for cash assistance. He says that would force recipients to become more self-sufficient. Critics say the plan would get people off of welfare rolls but not out of poverty. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 31, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty has proposed stricter work requirements for welfare recipients. Pawlenty released a plan yesterday that would require welfare recipients to look for a job before they're eligbile for cash assistance. He says his goal is to make welfare recipients more self sufficient. Pawlenty says the program will also drop recipients from the program if they don't follow the rules. Critics say the plan would get people off of welfare rolls but not out of poverty. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 31, 2003 - House Republicans say they intend to move quickly on Governor Pawlenty's proposed changes to the state's welfare program. Pawlenty yesterday (Thurs) proposed stricter work requirments and tougher sanctions for welfare recipients. He says the plan would help welfare recipients end their cycle of dependency. Others say Pawlenty's proposal is mean-spirited which could cause headaches for Minnesota's larger counties. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 3, 2003 - When Governor Tim Pawlenty outlined his plans for erasing a $356 million deficit projected between now and the end of June, affected interest groups converged on St. Paul to beg a reprieve. Producers of the corn-based fuel ethanol were among the most visible -- and not surprisingly, they've seen the most success at preserving their funding. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo examines the lobbying war at the Capitol.
February 4, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty has appointed the CEO of the Mercy Hospital and Health Care Center in Moose Lake as his health commissioner. Pawlenty says Dianne Mandernach will lead the Health Department in safeguarding the public health, preparing the state for a possible bioterrorist attack and addressing the rising cost of health care. Mandernach says her experience at a rural medical center will help her address the state's health care needs. Her appointment, however, comes with some controversy. Supporters of legalized abortion worry about Mandernach's opposition to abortion. They say she may support restrictions on the state's family planning grants. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 4, 2003 - MPR’s Steven John interviews R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis, on changing snow plowing plans within the city. The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul declared snow emergencies in wake of the winter's biggest snowstorm. In St. Paul when crews finish plowing east-west residential today the parking restrictions will end. But in Minneapolis the snow emergency will not end until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday. When R.T. Rybak campaigned for mayor of Minneapolis he pledged to change the city to a 24-hour plowing schedule.
February 5, 2003 -
February 5, 2003 -
February 6, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty asked Minnesotans to prepare to make sacrifices today in his first state of the state address. He said the state is facing what he called "the incredible hulk of budget deficits" and warned it could get worse. The governor laid out broad plans to create more jobs, reform the state's education system, and overhaul the state transportation department. He says he will accomplish all these goals without breaking his pledge not to raise taxes. Towards the end of the speech, the governor issued a challenge to all Minnesotans to help fix the state's projected four-and-a-half b billion dollar deficit
February 6, 2003 -