January 28, 1998 - The highway lobby is trying again this year to get the Legislature to raise the state gas tax. The gas tax is constitutionally dedicated to highway construction, and the highway interests have been trying in vain to raise it for ten years. This year, they're hoping a new strategy will make the difference. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: The highway lobby and its rural allies at the Capitol have unable to get a gas tax hike through the Legislature since 1988 because URBAN legislators won't let them. A hard core of urban and a few suburban legislators has held the gas tax hostage for years because the rural lawmakers won't support more funding for mass transit in the cities. The pro-highway interests are now promising something for BOTH sides. They've introduced a bill to dedicate all sales taxes on cars
January 28, 1998 - President Clinton tried to lay controversy aside last night as he delivered his State of the Union Address in the face of swirling allegations he had an affair with a White House intern. The president's speech was greeted cordially if not warmly by Democrats and Republicans on both sides of the aisle in Minnesota's Congressional delegation. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts reports.
January 28, 1998 - Mass transit trains for the Twin Cities will be in the spotlight today (WED) at the state capitol. Committees in both the House and Senate plan to consider light rail and commuter rail projects, and a coalition of interest groups are announcing their support for a bill to raise the gas tax and put some of the money into mass transit -- possibly, RAIL mass transit. Urban lawmakers say they think this may the year for rail transit at the Capitol... but as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, they've been optimistic before: The Twin Cities have been on the verge of building a rail system for YEARS... in 1988, then-Hennepin County Commissioner John Derus was SURE a Minneapolis light rail system was just around the corner:
January 28, 1998 - The first day of testimony begins today in Minnesota's tobacco trial. The State will call a Mayo clinic researcher as its first witness. Dr Richard Hurt is expected to testify about nicotine and addiction. Minnesota public radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports.
January 29, 1998 - At a ceremony today, two of the largest low-income housing providers in Minnesota signed an agreement to work together on promoting fair housing. Officials with the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office say they're targeting housing discrimination in a part of the state often overlooked: the rural communities. Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann (lay-mun) reports. The Schoolview Manor apartment complex sits in the center of Big Lake. It houses many of the disabled and elderly residents in this town of just over 2,000 people. The complex was chosen for today's announcement because offi
February 2, 1998 - MPR’s Mary Stucky matches up the content of the State-of-the-State addresses through Governor Arne Carlson’s tenure. His speeches over the years reflect the changing fortunes of the state and ups and downs in Carlson’s relationship with state lawmakers.
February 3, 1998 - The Twins stadium is alive again at the State Legislature…just two months after lawmakers killed it. The stadium's chief cheerleader this time around is State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Roy Terwilliger, who says he has a plan Minnesotans will like a lot better than anything the Twins proposed last year.
February 3, 1998 - This year's race for Governor could be the most expensive in the state's history. Its the first time since 1982 the seat has been open. A field of big name democrats is leading the race for campaign contributions. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
February 3, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson delivers his 8th and final State of the State address tomorrow (Wednesday). He has touched on a lot of themes in those speeches.... but perhaps the most constant theme has been education This year Carlson is proposing 252-million dollars for construction at the University of Minnesota and 168-million for the state colleges and universities system. He's expected to dwell on how Minnesota's colleges and universities can help prepare students to fill gaps in the states workforce, and on his proposal for boarding schools to help troubled youth. Some observers say it's the Republican Governor's last effort to leave an education legacy... But for many, that legacy is already in place. Carlson's big education battles are behind him, and the state's public education system has changed substancially since 1991. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
February 3, 1998 - Midday previews the State of the State address and looks back in history to previous addresses. Guests Al Quie, former Republican governor; and Bob Vanasek, former DFL Speaker of the House share their reflections and listeners call in with questions.