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
December 21, 2005 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers are pointing fingers at each other in the wake of a judges ruling that struck down a key tobacco fee. A Ramsey County Judge ruled yesterday that the 75 cent-a-pack fee violates a settlement reached with tobacco companies in 1998. That agreement brings in billions of dollars to the state from the tobacco industry to cover the costs of government health programs caused by smoking. The settlement also banned the state from making future claims on tobacco companies. Legislators approved the fee over the summer to help solve a state budget crisis, and the fee was projected to raise 400 million dollars over the current budget cycle. Governor Pawlenty is promising to appeal the decision. DFLer lawmakers say the governor's insistence that the measure be called a fee instead of a tax put it at legal risk. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has more.
December 22, 2005 - The mother of a Minnesota guard member will get a chance to share her concerns with Governor Tim Pawlenty later this morning. Joan Najbar (NAY bar) is upset that her son had to leave college to train for possible deployment to Iraq. After talking with Gov. Pawlenty, she plans to protest, by herself, on the Capitol steps. Joan Najbar joins us now.
December 23, 2005 - The Minnesota trucking industry is asking Governor Pawlenty to temporarily suspend a two-month-old mandate that requires diesel fuel sold in the state contain two percent biodiesel. Truckers say they are experiencing more mechanical problems and they suspect that the fuel made from soybeans is to blame. John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association, says many of his members are pretty upset right now. That is John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association.
December 27, 2005 -
December 28, 2005 -
January 3, 2006 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is taking his push for slowing illegal immigration to a new level. The governor is expected to announce a major reform plan today in St. Paul and follow it up by flying around the state to repeat his message in cities across the state. The new proposal come a month after the governor released a controversial report on the costs of illegal immigration. Critics say the report ignored the benefits that immigrants bring to communities and the economy. One of the Governor's stops today will be in Worthington, where immigrants make up a big part of the work-force. Joining us on the line is the mayor of Worthington, Alan Oberloh.
January 3, 2006 - Local police and sheriff's offices would get some extra responsibilities under the governor's proposal. Brian Schlueter is the Sheriff of Otter Tail County, where a recent murder case underscored his frustration with undocumented, or "improperly documented" immigrants.
January 3, 2006 - MPR’s Marisa Helms reports on Chris Coleman being sworn in as the 45th mayor of St. Paul. In his first speech as mayor, Coleman emphasized the city's growing diversity and the need for citizen involvement and cooperation.
January 4, 2006 - Immigration issues have moved to the forefront of political debate in recent weeks, thanks largely to Governor Pawlenty. It began last month when Pawlenty released what has become a controversial report on the costs associated with illegal immigration. And it continued yesterday when the governor outlined a series of proposals to identify and crack down on illegal immigration in Minnesota. Political observers say Pawlenty is tapping into an issue that concerns many Minnesotans, but he could alienate Latino voters in the process. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
January 4, 2006 - A special Voices of Minnesota program, with Minnesota's highest-ranking elder statesman , Walter Mondale in the studio talking with MPR’s Gary Eichten.