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
March 11, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty is proposing an increase in education funding as a part of his revised budget plan. Pawlenty wants to spend 108 million dollars more than he originally proposed on K thru 12 education. The increase in funding is possible because the revenue forecast released last week showed the state's budget outlook improving. Critics say the funding for education still isn't enough. And others point out that Minnesota is still facing a budget deficit of 466 million dollars in the next two-year budget cycle without including inflation. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 14, 2005 - MPR’s Steven John interviews U.S. congressman Keith Ellison, who discusses a bill introduced that would double the level of protection provided to Minnesota children to prevent lead poisoning. DFLer Keith Ellison represents North Minneapolis in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
March 18, 2005 - That's Minnesota's Commissioner of Human Services, Kevin Goodno.
March 30, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders today (WED) reached a deal on a package of public works projects. If the agreement holds up, it would mark the most significant breakthrough at the Capitol in more than a year. The Legislature failed to pass a bonding bill last session, in the midst of partisan gridlock. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
April 7, 2005 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that the Minnesota Senate upended an attempt to force a vote on a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages. The legislation would allow voters to decide whether to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
April 8, 2005 - Karl Rove, the man considered to be the political mastermind of the Bush White House, will be in Minnesota Friday night to raise money for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty is up for re-election next year. Some powerful Republicans also view Pawlenty as a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate in 2008. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
April 11, 2005 - Reacting testily to criticism from former Gov. Jesse Ventura last week, House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, shot back that "the former governor and governors always have more strength, more criticism, more vision and knowledge after they've left office, then when they were in." What do some other former Minnesota governors think of the current legislative session?
April 25, 2005 - MPR's Brandt Williams reports that the Minnesota Twins and Hennepin County have agreed to a funding plan for a new baseball stadium in downtown Minneapolis. The plan for the $360 million facility will include private funding from Twins owner Carl Pohlad and public money from the county in the form of a sales tax increase.
April 27, 2005 -
May 3, 2005 - With less than three weeks to go before the end of the Legislative session, a number of spending bills are making their way through both the House and Senate -- but the two chambers are far apart on how to balance the state budget in the face of a projected deficit. Joining us now to talk about the budget and other Legislative issues is Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. That is Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. For all the latest Capitol news, go to the Session 2005 page of our website at Minnesota Public Radio dot org.