March 8, 2002 - - Supporters of the Northstar commuter rail line were confident with support from Governor Jesse Ventura, a line from St. Cloud to Minneapolis would happen. They're still hoping the legislature will offer full funding for the project this session. Northstar officials say they need 120 million dollars. But the proposed House bonding bill gives no money to the project. And the Senate's version of the bill only includes 8 million dollars. Legislators say it's likely some money will go toward the Northstar in the next few weeks. But some doubt it will be 120 million dollars. Northstar supporters say if they don't get full funding this year, the project could be dead. They also accuse lawmakers of using Northstar as a political bargaining chip against one of the project's biggest supporters, the Governor. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports. <
March 12, 2002 - Ahmed Samatar, director of the International Studies Program at Macalester College and native of Somalia; and Omar Jamal, spokesman for the Somali Justice Advocate Center, discuss some of the challenges and problems facing Somalis in the Twin Cities.
March 12, 2002 -
March 13, 2002 - For the first time since Jesse Ventura took office more Minnesotans dissapprove than approve of his performance. In a poll released today, 43 percent approved of the governor's performance while, 49 percent disapproved. Approval of the Legislature was higher, at 55 percent. Craig Grau is an associate professor of political science at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He says he thinks the public is judging Ventura more on his attitude than his record:
March 14, 2002 - The Minnesota House has spent most of the day debating budget-cutting bills. The bills are part of so-called "phase two," the Legislature's attempt to plug the remaining 439-million dollar projected hole in the state's two-year budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum joins me now from the Capitol with an update. How far along are House members with this plan? Just about done - today passed four of five budget-cutting bills most controversial - and the bulk of the cuts are in health and human services bill - nearly 62-million dollars this biennium - repeals the expansion of health insurance for children - reduces eligibility for general assistance and general assistance medical care programs - low-income adults - many Democrats - including Representative Tom Huntley of Duluth - criticized the cuts in the bill... "This bill goes specifically after our most needy citizens - those in regional treatment centers, those with mental illness, and balances the budget on their backs."
March 14, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that a Twins ballpark bill has limped across the finish line in the Senate. It's the first time a stadium bill has succeeded in the House or Senate since 1997. The bill survived several potentially lethal amendments and passed only after lawmakers scaled back a proposed statewide tax on sports memorabilia.
March 14, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck report that a Senate committee chairman looking into the cost of Governor Ventura's executive protection has postponed hearings originally scheduled. Senator Dean Johnson says he still expects the Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee to take up the issue, but he hasn't decided on a date.
March 14, 2002 -
March 15, 2002 - Governor Jesse Ventura enters the Twins ballpark debate with a plan of his own. Ventura's proposal avoids any new taxes, user fees, or surcharges, and relies strictly on a multi-part financing plan to shift the costs entirely onto the team. Lawmakers say the plan shows promise, but the package requires a substantial upfront investment by the Twins. The team has recently balked at paying cash upfront.
March 18, 2002 - A new biography of Minnesota native Sinclair Lewis shines a brighter light on one of the state's literary stars. Lewis was born in Sauk Center in 1885, and wrote best-selling books like Main Street, and Babbitt. He won a Nobel prize for literature in 1930, but that proved to be the peak of a career that lasted into the 1940's. Lewis's legacy has been tarnished because of off-hand treatment by critics and biographers in the past. But the new biography titled "Sinclair Lewis: Rebel from Main Street" gives readers a fresh perspective on Lewis' career.