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 2, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty today (TUESDAY) said he'll push for a Minnesota death penalty next year as part of a program to combat sex crimes. Pawlenty's statement comes a day after a recently released sex offender was arrested in Crookston in connection with the disappearance last month of 22-year-old Dru Sjodin. Minnesota hasn't had a death penalty case in more than 100 years -- and opponents say they'll fight to keep it that way. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
December 3, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty yesterday called for the reinstatement of the death penalty in Minnesota for convicted sex offenders. Pawlenty's announcement came a day after the arrest in the Dru Sjodin case. While polls have shown the majority of Minnesotans support the death penalty, the governor may have difficulty winning over both houses of the Legislature. Steven Schier is a professor of political scientist at Carleton. He says this is a politically advantageous time to bring up the issue.
December 10, 2003 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s release of list containing six candidates to replace outgoing Police Chief Robert Olson. Rybak, a panel of community members and a Seattle-area search firm have narrowed the list from more than two-dozen applicants nationwide. The list includes three African American candidates; and two internal candidates, both women, who remain favorites among many city council members.
December 10, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is scheduled to spend this weekend in Bosnia... visiting with Minnesota National Guard troops stationed there. The troops are in the region as peace keepers, enforcing the 1996 Dayton peace accords. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo will cover the governor's trip. He joins us in the studio this morning.
December 10, 2003 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Tony Bouza, former Minneapolis police chief, on his thoughts about the hiring of a new police chief. According to Mayor Rybak's PR people, the mayor will release names of finalists for the job of police chief in Minneapolis. They anticipate six or seven finalists. Tony Bouza discusses the process, including benefits of hiring outside the department. He also speaks of hiring a black or female police chief.
December 11, 2003 - House Democrats are blaming Republican budget cuts for double-digit property tax increases facing many communities. They say many homeowners will see significant increases next year, while homeowners in suburbs that tend to vote Republican will see little or no increase. Officials with the Pawlenty administration say they didn't target certain areas for budget cuts, and some of the property tax increases stem from other factors. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 12, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty says the blizzard of criticism he's receiving about changes to state snowplowing policy is misguided. On his weekly radio show today (Fri), Pawlenty defended MnDOT's plowing after this week's heavy snowstorm. MnDOT officials say they've made some changes in the snowplow schedule to save money on overtime pay, but the agency's snowplowing goals haven't changed. Some DFL lawmakers say commuters are angry, and the issue is a political problem for the governor. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 15, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is in Sarajevo, Bosnia this evening, having wrapped up a two-day visit with Minnesota National Guard troops serving as peace-keepers in that country. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has been with the governor for most of his trip and joins us now by phone from Tuzla, Bosnia. Michael, the governor's trip was meant in part to boost the morale of soldiers away from home during the holidays. I'm sure the news of Saddam Hussein's capture made his job even easier.
December 17, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty will travel the state tomorrow to announce the locations of new tax-free enterprise zones. Starting next month, new development on thousands of parcels of land in Greater Minnesota will be free from property, income and sales taxes. Economically stressed rural communities are waiting to see if this will spark the turn-around they need. Critics say Minnesota is about to land the latest blow in a battle nobody wins. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
December 18, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty says he wants to discipline the state doctors who decided against recommending civil commitment for Alfonso Rodriguez Junior. Rodriguez was charged two weeks ago with kidnapping 22 year old Dru Sjodin. The convicted sex offender was released in May even though some evaluations say Rodriguez had a high likelihood of reoffending. Rodriguez has maintained his innocence in Sjodin's disappearance. While Pawlenty is considering punishment for the doctors who assessed Rodriguez, Minnesota's attorney general and other DFLers say they're concerned that budget cuts led to the oversight. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.