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 8, 2005 - {It's Weekend America on MPR--I'm GC...The last match-up of these teams threatened to disrupt Christmas Eve church services and family holiday meals. Yes, the fabled rivalry between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers continues during tomorrow's {sun} wild card game on Lambeau Field. The governors of Minnesota and Wisconsin have a wager going on the game. If the Vikings win, Governor Tim Pawlenty will dine on sausage and cheese. And if the Packers win, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle will enjoy a feast of walleye Wellington and wild rice soup. We have to admit two of our colleagues in the Minnesota Public Radio Newsroom have a history of waging their own bets. It usually involves the wearing of a spongy team hat! Midday Host Gary Eichten is a Minnesota Viking fan and has been known to sport a "cheese-head" hat when his team loses. Our Web Editor Melanie Sommer is a Packer Backer. She is the owner of the afore-mentioned cheese head hat--and has, on occasion, been forced by Mr. Eichten to wear a Vikings Helga hat complete with horns and braids. }
January 11, 2005 - The gambling landscape is shifting at the legislature, too. A coalition of anti-gambling groups has re-emerged in response to Governor Tim Pawlenty's recent overtures to Native Americans seeking a new Twin Cities casino. Citizens Against Gambling Expansion -- or CAGE -- includes religious leaders and conservative think-tanks who oppose increasing the availability of casino gambling. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
January 16, 2005 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty gives State of State address in Rochester, MN. Transcript attached.
January 17, 2005 - In anticipation of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's annual "State of the State" address in Rochester on Tuesday, three former Minnesota governors talk about what they would say if they were in the Pawlenty's shoes today. They also look back on their days as the state's chief executive.
January 19, 2005 - Officials and students with the state's public colleges and universities are criticizing Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposal to change the way Minnesota funds higher education. In his state of the state speech yesterday Helms reports.
January 19, 2005 - (FOR WEDNESDAY 1/19 M.E.) If Governor Tim Pawlenty has his way, the city of Rochester could be in for a building boom. Pawlenty delivered his annual State of the State address from Rochester yesterday (TUESDAY) -- and outlined a list of projects for the city and the region. Chief among them would be a new, four-year university. Political observers say the attention on Rochester could be an attempt to shore up Republican support in what's long been considered GOP territory. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
January 25, 2005 - <
January 25, 2005 - Governor Tim Pawlenty released a proposed two-year budget today (TUESDAY) that depends on money from a new casino to help erase a projected 700-million dollar deficit. Pawlenty's budget wouldn't raise state taxes, but relies on a mix of spending cuts and revenue increases to balance the budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
January 26, 2005 - In the weeks leading up to his budget announcement, Governor Pawlenty spoke often of his desire to rein in spending on health care programs. And in doing so, he started referring to the state's subsidized health insurance programs as "welfare health care." In the plan released yesterday (tues), Pawlenty recommended limiting eligibility for MinnesotaCare, a state subsidized health insurance program for the working poor. Those who are on the program and advocate on behalf of people with low incomes call Pawlenty's "welfare" characterization unfortunate and wrong. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 26, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty took his budget message on the road today (WED), while critics and defenders of his budget spoke out at the Capitol. Two former state finance commissioners blasted the budget Pawlenty proposed yesterday, while a key Republican called it a good starting point. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...