January 7, 1997 - On the opening day of the Minnesota Legislature, a Midday discussion with key legislators on the major issues coming up this session: taxes, welfare reform, education, crime, and Twins stadium. Program also includes an interview with Governor Arne Carlson about his hopes for the 1997-98 and a short profile on two new legislators.
January 7, 1997 - Minnesota's political attention is turning to taxes, welfare reform, stadium funding and education. Those are among the serious policy issues Minnesota legislators will be debating over the next several months. Frequently lost among the bills, vetoes and deals are the personal stories of the legislators themselves, who re-arrange their lives each session to do the peoples' work. Minnesota Public Radio's Jon Gordon spoke with a brand new lawmaker and a six-year St Paul veteran about the beginning of a new session. Bob Westfall, a new Republican state representative from Rothsay in western Minnesota, has no grand vision for his first term.
January 9, 1997 - Midday looks at the proposal for a new Twins ballpark and the surrounding financial details with guests Gene Merriam, Minnesota Senate Finance Committee Chairman; and MPR reporter Bill Wareham. Program also includes short interviews with key individuals on proposal and listener call-in questions.
January 13, 1997 - As part of a series on poverty, MPR’s John Biewen reports that while the Minnesota legislature passed regulations in 1996 designed to control interest rates so pawn customers wouldn't have to pay ten or fifteen times the rates charged for credit card loans, some of the state's pawnshops are using a loophole in the law to charge more than 200%.
January 16, 1997 - Midday features live coverage of Governor Arne Carlson's State of the State address. He speaks in the Minnesota House Chamber well over an hour. Highlights of speech include a state disaster fund, property tax reform, crime control, welfare reform, arts funding, and Twins stadium.
January 22, 1997 - Many state lawmakers spent a day away from the capitol to gain a closer look at the new federal welfare law and learn the effect on Minnesotans. State Welfare reform is the next step and as Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports, lawmakers, policy analysts and local officials are beginning to see just how far-reaching the changes will be.
January 23, 1997 - Midday looks at education funding in Minnesota. Studio guests are DFL Representative Becky Kelso of Shakopee, who is chair of the K-12 Budget Committee in the House; and Republican State Senator Gen Olson of Minnetrista, who is a member of the Senate K-12 Budget Division. Kelso and Olson share their views on funding and also answer listener questions.
January 27, 1997 - Failed State Senate candidate John Derus asked a Senate panel today (Mon) for a second chance. Derus says the Star Tribune purposefully maligned his reputation during the Senate primary last fall, and he wants the election should be re-run. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: John Derus says when the Star Tribune printed his photo as part of an unrelated story about charity fraud on primary day last September, he assumed it was just a mistake. Now he believes it was an intentional act by what he calls a "rogue organization".
January 27, 1997 - VOICES OF MINNESOTA interview with Rick Stafford for Monday, Jan 27, l997. Stafford says he is a political peon - willing to take on any task for his party. His willingness won him the job of chair of the DFL party in l993 - a job he held for over two years. The openly gay Stafford has the AIDS virus and health problems caused him to leave the job in l995. Today on our Voices of Minnesota interview we will will hear from the 44-year-old political activist. Stafford grew up in the southern Minnesota town of New Richland, and graduated from Mankato State University. For ten years he owned the West Concord newspaper. Stafford told Minnesota Public Radio's Karen Louise Boothe a childhood physical disability and the death of his father when Stafford was six taught him lifelong lessons.
January 28, 1997 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports that the battle lines that marked the fight over passage of Minnesota’s Human Rights Bill have not gone away. Roberts interviews numerous individuals on the law’s effect.