March 24, 1997 - Legislation to have the state subsidize a new Minnesota Twins stadium made some progress at the Legislature, despite lawmakers' misgivings. MPR's Martin Kaste reports that the fate of the Twins Stadium bill had fallen into the hands of the members of the Senate Local and Metropolitan Government Committee…and they were none too happy about it.
March 24, 1997 - MPR’s Karen Louise Boothe reports that hundreds of people rallied at the State Capitol on behalf of a bill that would restore the cuts in benefits to legal immigrants in the new federal welfare reform law.
March 26, 1997 - Today is crunch time at the state capitol, as lawmakers rush to get their pet bills past the first major deadline of the legislative session. One of the bills that didn't make it was the "right-to-carry" bill, legislation that would have made it easier for law-abiding Minnesotans to carry concealed handguns. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
April 1, 1997 - Members of a House Committee have approved a bill to spend up to six-and-a half million-dollars to keep the peace around Lake Mille Lacs. Members of the Mille lacs band of Ojibwe plan to exercise their rights to net and spear fish this spring. The measure faces its Second committee tomorrow before moving along further in the process, and eventually to House floor. A similar measure passed in a Senate committee. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
April 1, 1997 - Members of a House Committee have approved a bill to appropriate six-and-a half million-dollars from the state's budget reserve for potential costs associated with plans by Minnesota and Wisconsin Ojibwe to exercise their rights to net and spear fish this spring. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
April 2, 1997 - Midday discussion with two state legislative leaders to talk about issues facing lawmakers halfway through the session, including welfare reform bill, abortion, immigrant assistance, taxes, and education. Guests Speaker of the House Phil Carruthers and Senate Minority Leader Dean Johnson share their viewpoints and answer listener call-in questions.
April 2, 1997 - The Minnesota House took up its version of a Comprehensive Welfare Reform Bill last night. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports, it was an attempt by foes of legal abortion that stalled the bill when its key author then withdrew it from consideration on the floor.
April 2, 1997 - MPR’s Bob Potter interviews Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton about an arbitrator’s decision than former Minneapolis police officer Mike Sauro is to be reinstated, after being fired by the city for second time. Sayles Belton shares why she disagrees with the decision, her concerns over off-duty work by officers in businesses that serve alcohol, and need for officer training.
April 3, 1997 - A House Committee has withdrawn provisions of a bill that would tax monthly access fees to the Internet. The tax provision was deleted following a veto threat by the Governor. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
April 4, 1997 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that sixteen exhausted negotiators gave up their efforts Thursday to settle the most contentious management issue in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. In twenty-two meetings over eight months, the panel managed to find consensus on minor disputes over the use of the federal wilderness area, but there was no agreement on the one issue that led to their convening.