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
August 15, 2007 - MPR’s Brandt Williams reports on preview of the coming budget from Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. The city of Minneapolis will put more money into maintenance and repair of bridges and roads in the coming year, according to Mayor R.T Rybak. Rybak was due to deliver his 2008 budget, but the collapse of the I-35W bridge delayed that plan. The bridge disaster also forced Rybak to shift budget priorities and to plan for more money in public works.
August 15, 2007 - Midday previews legislative hearings on new I-35W bridge reconstruction plans in a joint House-Senate transportation committee meeting, now that state transportation officials have unveiled a preliminary design. Gary Eichten talks with numerous legislators and takes listener calls.
August 16, 2007 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten speaks with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who has had to realign his budget priorities to consider road maintenance and repair in the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse. Rybak hopes a Special Session at the State Capitol will help solve some of the city's financial burdens.
August 23, 2007 - On this special Midday program at the Minnesota State Fair, former Minnesota governors Arne Carlson, a Republican, and Wendell Anderson, a DFLer, reflect on current events and politics past and future.
September 5, 2007 - Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak speaks at the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearings held to figure out how to fix the nation's "structurally deficient bridges". This segment was from an hours long hearing led by U.S. Representative Jim Oberstar.
September 5, 2007 - U.S. Transportation committee, chaired by U.S. representative Jim Oberstar, hears witnesses on I-35W bridge collapse and the state of bridges in general. Panel 1: Structurally Deficient Bridges in the U.S. Panel 2: Calvin Scovel, US DoT, Inspector General; and Mark Rosenker, NTSB Chairman. Panel 3: R.T. Rybak, mayor of Minneapolis; and Kathleen Novak, mayor of Northglenn, CO. The segment ends with the Colorado mayor's testimony before they broke for a House vote.
September 5, 2007 - The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held hearings today to figure out how to fix the nation's "structurally deficient bridges". After the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis at the beginning of last month, both Congress and the transportation department have been focusing more of their attention on these vital, aging structures. U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters provided testimony today. While she does not like the way bridges are getting classified, she says her department has not been neglecting them. Report also includes comments from U.S. Congressman Oberstar and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak.
September 7, 2007 - To convene or not to convene. Broadcast: Midday, 09/07/2007, 11:00 a.m. With the collapse of the 35W bridge and the flooding in southern Minnesota, there's been a lot of discussion about a special session at the Legislature. However, Gov. Pawlenty hasn't yet called lawmakers back to the Capitol. Midday examines what sort of state government action is needed right now, if any. Guests: John Himle: Former Republican state representative, and now co-founder of the public relations firm Himle Horner. Dane Smith: Former longtime Star Tribune state Capitol reporter and now president of Growth and Justice, a liberal think tank.
September 20, 2007 - Excerpt of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar speaking at Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing regarding 35W bridge collapse.
September 20, 2007 - Excerpt of U.S. Senator Norm Coleman speaking at Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing regarding 35W bridge collapse. Both of Minnesota's U.S. Senators took part in a hearing on Capitol Hill today to urge quick action on bridges in need of repair or replacement. Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Amy Klobuchar testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The oversight hearing was called in the wake of the collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis. Coleman says he and Michigan Democrat Carl Levin, have asked the non-partisan Government Accountability Office to do a review of the national bridge program.