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
May 12, 2003 -
May 12, 2003 - The cold, rainy weekend didn't dampen Governor Tim Pawlenty's enthusiasm for fishing. The governor was in Detroit Lakes for the traditional walleye opener. He says it was a fun, relaxing weekend. Now it's back to work, and the last hectic week of the legislative session. Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
May 12, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty convened more than 600 scientists, entrepreneurs, and executives in Minneapolis today for the "Governor's Biosciences Summit." Pawlenty told the crowd Minnesota has the people and ideas to be a biotech leader. "Biotechnology" involves using living organisms to make anything from medicines to plastic. Critics of the governor say Minnesota may have a tough time competing, and Pawlenty should focus on more important priorities. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
May 12, 2003 - A Midday broadcast of four former Minnesota governors (Arne Carlson, Wendell Anderson, Elmer L. Andersen, and Al Quie) speaking at the 2003 Freeman Forum - Community, Consensus & the Common Good.
May 13, 2003 -
May 14, 2003 - MPR’s Nikki Tundel speaks with Erich Mische, the state director for U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, about a St. Paul high school student facing deportation. Tchisou Tho was scheduled for deportation just 22 days before he would have become the first in his family to graduate from high school, but won a delay that will allow him to graduate with his classmates in June.
May 20, 2003 - Minnesota Lawmakers will return to the Capitol this morning for a special session. They ended the regular session at midnight last night, after passing just a small portion of the state budget. The House and Senate sent two budget bills to the governor, repealed the state's Profile of Learning graduation standards and passed a 2 a.m. bar closing bill. But the final hours of the session were marked by a bitter fight on the Senate floor which prevented a Prairie Island bill from a vote. We've heard from the lawmakers. Joining us now is Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
May 20, 2003 - Lawmakers at the state Capitol ran out of time in regular session to finish all their work, including a bonding bill. Senate DFLers wanted the bill this year and Gov. Tim Pawlenty agreed to it when DFLers gave up on their fight to raise some state taxes to limit deep spending cuts. The two sides agreed on a $175 million bonding bill but have yet to develop a plan on what construction projects to include. DFLers hope they can use some of that money for projects former Gov. Jesse Ventura cut from last year's bonding bill. Joining us on the line is DFL Sen. Keith Langseth, chair of the Senate Capitol Investment Committee.
May 29, 2003 - People suffering from drug or alcohol addictions could get better access to treatement under a federal bill recently introduced in the U-S House and Senate. Late Senator Paul Wellstone first pushed the proposal, which would assure people with private insurance that their policies would cover treatment for addiction... just as they would for a physical illness. Now Senator Norm Coleman and Congressman Jim Ramstad are supporting the legislation, and will promote it later today along with William Moyers... Vice President of External Affairs at Hazelden Foundation, a renowned drug and alcohol treatment center. Mr. Moyers joins us on the line this morning.
June 2, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty and DFL legislative leaders will be travelling around the state today. Lawmakers adjourned late last week, after fixing a projected 4.2 billion dollar shortfall without raising taxes. Democrats were critical of the budget plan, while Republican got nearly everything they wanted this session. Joining us now is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.