January 4, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura delivered his second State of the State address today, a speech that was heavy on tax cuts and reform proposals. Ventura highlighted cuts in the state's income, property and sales taxes that he'll detail in his budget later this month. Ventura's message was warmly welcomed by Republicans, and got mixed reviews from Democrats. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum joins me now to discuss the speech. What are his major tax cut proposals? (well, let's talk about the three major areas - property, income and sales taxes. First, the property tax, which Ventura has long talked about overhauling - here's how he described it - Ventura cut one - describe Ventura property tax reform proposal
January 4, 2001 - Governor Ventura presented his State of the State message to a joint session of the Legislature this afternoon. He used the speech to propose broad changes in Minnesota's tax system. The Governor's plan includes reforming what he called the "big three" taxes - property, income and sales. Dan Salamone, executive director of the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, says the Governor has laid out an impressive slate of reforms.
January 4, 2001 -
January 4, 2001 - Governor Ventura will give the State of the State speech at 3:00 this afternoon in the house chambers. The event is always a big one at the capitol. It's a rare time when both the House and Senate meet in a joint session. Now, Ventura didn't give a State of the State last year, so legislators say they'll be listening carefully to hear the governor's agenda for the 2001 session. Joining us is Cindy Brucato... she was chief of staff for former Governor Arne Carlson.
January 8, 2001 -
January 8, 2001 - Betty McCollum comments on the increase of women participation in Minnesota politics.
January 9, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that supporters of campaign finance reform say the 2001 session may be the best chance in years to pass significant changes. Governor Jesse Ventura and leaders in both parties say they want to reduce the amount of money flowing into politics.
January 9, 2001 - [Unnamed man] is a tax partner at Aruthur Anderson and teaches a course in state law at the University of Minnesota. He says Ventura's proposal to extend the sales tax is playing very poorly in the business community.
January 9, 2001 - MPR sports commentor Jay Weiner discusses results of a stadium advisory panel created by the Minnesota Twins that say Twins owner Carl Pohlad should contribute $150 million toward a new outdoor baseball stadium. A draft report obtained by the Star Tribune from Minnesotans for Major League Baseball says that amount would cover about the half of the cost. The other half would be financed through taxes as opposed to a "direct public subsidy."
January 11, 2001 - MPR's William Wilcoxen reports that a citizens panel put together by the Minnesota Twins to look at the baseball team's future has finished its work. After six months of study, Minnesotans for Major League Baseball says the state risks losing the Twins unless the team gets a new ballpark combined with financial reforms in big league baseball.