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
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.
May 5, 2005 - Governor Tim Pawlenty today (THURS) blasted a Senate DFL plan to raise taxes on upper-income Minnesotans. The Senate tax bill would create a temporary eleven percent top income tax rate. Senate Democrats who support the plan say it asks Minnesotans who benefitted from the economic boom of the 90s to help balance the budget. But not all Senate Democrats back the plan, as Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
May 12, 2005 - Despite pressure from party leaders, a handful of House Republicans who broke party ranks on the gas tax late last night held firm today (Thu) when the plan came up for final approval. The gas tax would go up ten cents a gallon under the transportation bill the Minnesota House passed on a 72 to 61 vote. The move is in open defiance of Governor Pawlenty's "no new taxes pledge." Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 12, 2005 - (NOTE FROM KHOO: As of 10:30pm last night, the governor and Sviggum were planning to reconvene budget talks at 10am Thursday. It's not clear whether Johnson will attend or will continue with his fly-around. The governor's office says Johnson has been invited to attend the meeting, but they haven't heard yet whether he'll accept. Johnson himself and his staff had left by the time the meeting broke up last night, so he wasn't able to answer the question directly. I point all of this out because this story indicates Johnson WILL stick to the tour, and that may no longer be accurate.) With less than two weeks left in the legislative session, Governor Pawlenty is urging legislative leaders to reach a budget deal. The call came as the House was passing a vastly different tax bill than the one that passed the Senate last week. And taxes aren't the only issue on which the House and Senate are far apart. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
May 15, 2005 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on Minneapolis DFL convention results. A 12-hour convention for the Minneapolis DFL party over the weekend failed to produce an endorsement for either Mayor R.T. Rybak or challenger Peter McLaughlin. After five ballots, McLaughlin was leading 53 percent to Rybak's 45 percent before the delegates voted to award no endorsement. The two candidates now head for the primary.
May 18, 2005 -
May 20, 2005 -
May 20, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty today (FRIDAY) proposed that the state collect an additional 75-cents a pack on cigarettes. He's calling the new money a "health impact fee," and says the money would be used to pay for state health care costs. Pawlenty insists his proposal is a fee, not a tax. The distinction is critical because a budget deal could hinge on Pawlenty's ability to come away from negotiations saying he's standing by his pledge to not raise taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
May 20, 2005 - Former Vice President and Minnesota Senator Walter Mondale shares his thoughts about Nixon’s trip to China in 1972, and of Minnesota Opera's performance of "Nixon in China" by John Adams.