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 7, 2004 - Mayor R.T. Rybak's pick for police chief, William McManus, met with residents at a south Minneapolis community center last night. The mayor's office organized the meeting in anticipation of two key council actions today. With the full council vote a week and a half away, Rybak is applying pressure on those council members who are still not supporting McManus.
January 8, 2004 - Governor Pawlenty is proposing to keep the state's most dangerous sex offenders in jail for life without a chance for parole. In a crime package released today (Thurs), the governor also calls for tougher sentences for sex crimes in general, increased monitoring for sex offenders who have been released from jail and more money to add prison space. Pawlenty is also asking the state Legislature to require the attorney general's office to work with county attorneys and the Corrections Department to seek civil commitments of any level three offenders who are scheduled for release. The governor says his proposal will strengthen the state's laws against sex offenders but others argue it doesn't get to the immediate problem. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports
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January 14, 2004 - Governor Pawlenty today (WEDNESDAY) released a bonding package totaling 760-million dollars. The size of the proposal surprised some House Republicans who favor a leaner package of public works projects, while some Senate DFLers called it skimpy. The bill would fund construction at colleges, universities and state buildings, prison expansion, roads, rail and environmental projects. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
January 15, 2004 - Governor Tim Pawlenty just wrapped up a week of press conferences highlighting projects in his bonding proposal. After cutting budgets last year, the bonding proposal gave the governor the chance to dish out some spending around Minnesota. The statewide media blitz was typical for a high-energy governor who has proven adept at dealing with the press. Pawlenty has released a flurry of initiatives in recent weeks, and some Democrats believe the activity level is designed to deflect criticism of his administration. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
January 16, 2004 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on vying proposals in the Twin Cities regarding a new ballpark. As policymakers and state officials pore over the details of 26 stadium ideas submitted, one thread emerges bright and clear…aside from the plans that call for new gambling revenues, all the major proposals rely heavily on increased tax dollars to build new homes for the Twins and Vikings.
January 16, 2004 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on stadium discussions in the Twin Cities. More than two dozen cities, counties, and private citizens have pitched their ballpark solutions to Governor Tim Pawlenty's Stadium Screening Committee. The governor solicited outside input to help him decide what role, if any, the state might play in financing new facilities for the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. The plans cover a range of sites sprinkled across the metropolitan area and offer funding options from local taxes to state dollars to casino revenues.
January 27, 2004 - Self contained (QUESTIONS ARE JUST PROMPTS, AD LIB AS NECESSARY) MOLPUS: Governor Tim Pawlenty today (TUESDAY) called on lawmakers to let Minnesota voters decide whether to revive capital punishment in the state. Pawlenty first proposed the idea last month after convicted Minnesota sex-offender Alfonzo Rodriguez, Jr., was arrested in connection with the disappearance of University of North Dakota student Dru Sjodin. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo joins us now from the Capitol. Michael, Minnesota hasn't had a death penalty in nearly 100 years. Why is Pawlenty raising the issue now?