February 18, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty today (TUESDAY) will release his plan for erasing a $4.2 billion deficit projected over the next two years. The state's fiscal shortfall is one of the largest in recent memory. Bridging the gap will dominate discussion at the Capitol for the remainder of the session -- and is complicated by Pawlenty's pledge NOT to raise taxes to close the divide. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
February 19, 2003 -
February 26, 2003 - A new Minnesota Public Radio-St. Paul Pioneer Press poll finds nearly half of those polled think Governor Pawlenty is doing a good or excellent job. It's the first poll to ask about the governor's job performance since he was elected in November. Pawlenty supporters say the numbers are surprisingly high, coming after the governor released a budget that makes major spending cuts in a number of areas. Political observers say his approval rating could drop after the full impact of those cuts is known. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
March 6, 2003 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on more than a thousand gay and lesbian Minnesotans appearing at the Minnesota State Capitol to protest a proposal to remove sexual orientation from the state's human rights law. They called the bill mean-spirited. The bill's author says he wants to prevent homosexuality from being taught in the schools.
March 10, 2003 - As part of the series “A Lesson on Learning: Behind No Child Left Behind,” MPR reporter Tim Pugmire reports on the battle over federal and local control over education in K-12 schools.
March 11, 2003 - Minnesota lawmakers will get their first look at proposed new academic standards today (TUESDAY). Education Commissioner Cheri Yecke will present a draft of the reading and math standards to both the House and Senate. The drafts could replace the Profile of Learning, which the Minnesota House has already voted to repeal. Mike Ricci (RICHIE) was on the citizen committee which developed the new reading standards. He's also executive director of the New Spirit Charter School in St. Paul. He's on the line with us now.
March 11, 2003 - Some vulnerable seniors in Minnesota would feel the pinch of Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposed budget cuts. Pawlenty's plan to fix the state's $4.2 billion dollar budget deficit includes elimination of state funding for a number of senior services, including the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs. Pawlenty's plan would essentially shut the programs down in rural Minnesota. Program administrators say the cuts could force hundreds of frail seniors from their homes and into more expensive care facilities. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports... {
March 11, 2003 - As part of the series “A Lesson on Learning: Behind No Child Left Behind,” MPR reporter Dan Olson reports on push for higher qualification reqirements for teachers. The reality for schools and teachers is more complicated.
March 12, 2003 - As part of the series “A Lesson on Learning: Behind No Child Left Behind,” MPR reporter Tim Pugmire reports on the debate over effectiveness of added testing for students.
March 13, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson profiles four North Dakota State University students competing in Salt Lake City for a national championship. The NDSU Saxophone Quartet won a six-state competition to reach the national contest and hope to bring home top honors in the National Collegiate Chamber Music Competition.