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
November 30, 2007 - State Finance officials say a struggling economy is forcing Minnesota's budget into a deficit again. Forecasters say the state will see a $373 million deficit by mid-2009. Governor Pawlenty and state lawmakers are now faced with raising taxes, cutting spending or spending a part of the budget reserve to balance the state's budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 5, 2007 - Polls show a majority of Americans are concerned about global warming. But it's not clear what we're willing to do about it. A task force is due to vote today (WED) on some measures we could take here in Minnesota, to reduce our carbon footprint. The group has been studying fifty possible approaches to the problem. It's planning to report to Governor Tim Pawlenty after the first of the year. Some of the ideas are the energy equivalent of castor oil. They may be good for us, but they're a little hard to swallow. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports.
December 20, 2007 - Two of Minnesota's freshman congressmen, Tim Walz and Keith Ellison, discuss what surprised them, what made them proud, and what they found disappointing about their first year in Washington D.C.
January 3, 2008 - A spokesman for the Central Intelligence Agency confirms that agents met with then-Governor Jesse Ventura in 1999. But former Minnesota Senator Dave Durenberger, who spent eight years on the Senate Intelligence Committee, says Ventura's account is hard to believe.
January 7, 2008 - Walter Mondale, former vice president, U.S. senator, ambassador to Japan, and presidential nominee in 1984, celebrates 80 years and looks to the future. Mondale chats with Midday host Gary Eichten on various topics.
January 17, 2008 - Midmorning’s Kerri Miller speaks with Minnesota lawmakers Tim Walz and Michele Bachmann, who both spent time in Afghanistan and Iraq this winter, surveying Minnesota's role in war. Walz and Bachmann share their different experiences and takeaways.
January 17, 2008 - Governor Pawlenty wants to make low-interest loans available to small businesses and homeowners, to install renewable energy systems. The governor announced the initiative at a news conference today (THURS). He also set up a collaborative group to oversee research and development on clean energy. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {
January 23, 2008 - Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Al Franken takes listener questions for Midday's "Meet the Candidates" series. Franken, 55, was born in New York City, but grew up in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
January 23, 2008 - Midday broadcasts a panel discussion with some of Minnesota's prominent Republicans and others at The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute. The topic the is state of the Republican party and how the current political landscape is shaping the character of conservativism.
February 1, 2008 - Governor Pawlenty is calling for repeal of Minnesota's moratorium on new nuclear power plants. It's part of his preliminary action plan on climate change. He also wants to reduce red tape for renewable energy projects. His proposals are included in a report sent to the legislature today. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. {