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 26, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports that Governor Tim Pawlenty is banking on casino money as a way to balance the state's finances. His plan includes a proposed Twin Cities casino that would be run jointly by the state and interested northern Indian tribes.
January 26, 2005 -
January 26, 2005 - Governor Tim Pawlenty's budget recommendations for the state's public colleges and universities are getting a mixed reaction from the state's higher education community. The University of Minnesota says it got what it wanted, mostly. But officials and students with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system say the governor is under-funding the system and short-changing the daily needs of students. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
January 27, 2005 - Governor Tim Pawlenty has proposed a tax credit that he says will help close the achievement gap between white and minority students. Under the plan he first mentioned in this week's budget proposal, businesses would get the credit for funding scholarships that would allow at-risk students in the K-12 public school system to attend private schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
January 28, 2005 - <
January 31, 2005 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Mayor Rybak’s desire to run again. R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis, formally announced his re-election bid Sunday near the place he started his first campaign for elected office four years ago, almost to the day. At that time, he waged a grassroots battle against an established incumbent he felt was out of touch residents. Now, Rybak has a political track record that makes him the target for challengers. Report includes comments from Linda Longino, mother of slain child Tyesha Edwards; Don Samuels, City Council member; among others.
January 31, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty today (MON) outlined a series of proposals to lock up and track sex offenders. The budget he released last week includes nearly 80-million dollars for sex offenders programs, and he also wants the state to borrow money for additional prison beds. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
February 8, 2005 - St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly has acknowledged that one of his staff members is under investigation by the FBI. Kelly says Hmong community liasion Sia Lo has been the target of a federal corruption probe for about 10 months. The mayor made the announcement today in response to a Star Tribune article that named Lo. The article includes an allegation made by an unnamed source that says Lo demanded a bribe from a businessman in exchange for help from the mayor's office. Lo told the paper the allegations were false. Kelly urged the media to give Lo a break.
February 8, 2005 - MPR’s Brandt Williams report that St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly confirms that as far as he knows his aide Sia Lo is the target of a federal corruption investigation. The mayor made the announcement in response to a Star Tribune article that named Lo.
February 9, 2005 - Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports on a plan to build an interpretive center in the Big Bog State Recreation Area in northern Minnesota. The idea is making its way through the Legislature as the Senate has earmarked $1.4 million for the project. Supporters are hoping to get the project added to the House bonding bill in the coming weeks. The 9,000-acre Big Bog State Recreation Area was created by the Legislature five years ago.