March 17, 1993 - Dan Salomone, executive director of Minnesota Taxpayers Association, responds to efforts at State Capitol to raise state taxes. Salomone argues that Minnesota is already a high tax state, and more taxes on higher incomes will hurt local economy.
March 18, 1993 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy describes the scene as Minnesota Senate debates and votes to extend the Minnesota Human Rights Bill to include protections on one’s sexual orientation. Report includes clips of Senate floor speeches.
March 18, 1993 - At issue is the bill that’s been referred to as “gay rights” legislation. It would change the state human rights law to prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians in areas like housing, employment, and education. Current law bans discrimination based on race, sex, marital status, religion and some other factors. Supporters of the legislation are hoping the house follows the lead of the Senate and approves the bill. Opponents of the bill say it would give gays and lesbians special privileges.
March 18, 1993 - This bill would change the state's human rights law to prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians in areas like housing, employment and education. Some members of the House have been saying that the bill grants special privileges to gays and lesbians. Supporters of the bill say that it doesn't give anybody special privileges or anybody more legitimacy than anybody else. They say it just protects against discrimination in these certain limited areas. The Senate has already given preliminary approval to the bill. And if the House approves it the governor says he will sign it. Includes remarks from Hilda Betterman, Kathleen Blatz.
March 18, 1993 - State Senator Dean Johnson speaks with Cathy Wurzer about concerns and considerations connected to gay rights bill vote.
March 18, 1993 - Wisconsin was the first state in the country to include sexual orientation as a protected class under the state’s equal employment, open housing and public accommodation laws.
March 19, 1993 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy reports on bill passage in both Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives that changes the state's human rights law to prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians in areas like housing, employment and education.
March 19, 1993 - State Senator Allen Spear speaks on the day gay rights bill was passed by Senate at the legislature.
March 19, 1993 - State Senator Linda Runbeck speaks on the floor, opposes gay rights bill.
March 22, 1993 - A collection of news reports and interviews on this hour of Midday.