February 26, 1998 - Next Tuesday night, Republicans and Democrats hold precinct caucuses to elect delegates to this summer's party conventions. This week, Minnesota Public Radio is profiling the candidates vying for their endorsement for Governor. State Senator Doug Johnson has not formally entered the race yet, but for all practical purposes, he's running. He's set up a campaign fund and he's lining up some of the DFL's savviest strategists to help him make up for his late start. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has this profile: Doug Johnson is a consummate insider -- he's served in the Legislature since 1970, and he's held one of the most powerful positions -- Senate Tax Committee chairman -- since 1980. But he's also an Iron Range political insider, which means he's always sure to keep a populist touch:
February 27, 1998 - MPR’s Cara Hetland reports on 25th anniversary of Wounded Knee, a 72 day stand-off between members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) and the tribal and federal governments. Some regard the incident at Wounded Knee in western South Dakota as the beginning of an era of increased Indian activism; others see it as the end to progress on the reservation.
February 27, 1998 - Next Tuesday night, Republicans and Democrats hold precinct caucuses to elect delegates to this summer's party conventions. This week, Minnesota Public Radio is profiling the candidates vying for their endorsement for Governor. This afternoon, political reporter Eric Jansen profiles a Republican candidate who has not held any political office before, Waverly businessman Dick Borrell. St. Paul mayor Norm Coleman is not the only GOP governors candidate w
March 1, 1998 - On this MPR Special Report, the American RadioWorks documentary “The World Turned Upside Down: An End to Inflation?” looks at inflation, deflation, and how the U.S. Federal Reserve keeps a watchful eye for BOTH.
March 3, 1998 - A history on the evolution in Minnesota's political system from University of Minnesota historian Hy Berman. The caucus and primary designs are detailed.
March 4, 1998 - Republican Party officials in Rochester- one of the party's strongholds in the state- were disappointed that turn out was light for party caucuses last night. They said people probably stayed home because there was no straw poll for Republican gubernatorial candidates and those candidates don't have differing views on divisive issues like abortion. Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports on the caucus meeting of Rochester's largest Republican precinct.
March 5, 1998 - Minnesota's state senate has approved nearly a billion dollars in cash payments for parks, roads, college buildings and other capital investment projects. Todays passage of a capital budget bill puts the Senate in direct opposition with the House and Governor Arne Carlson, who say bonds should pay for long-term projects: Minnesotas Senate has passed a $954-million-dollar capital budget bill, following a lengthy argument over whether to pay for major projects with cash or on credit.
March 5, 1998 - The citizen's watchdog group "Common Cause" says the state legislature should require more specific reporting about lobbying efforts and accompanying campaign contributions. The group released a report today (Thursday) outlining lobby efforts by the tobacco industry...efforts "Common Cause" says helped to sway lawmakers into supporting tobacco-friendly legislation. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
March 6, 1998 - Minnesota State Representative Gene Pelowski, advanced placement social studies teacher at Winona Senior High School, and Bob Wedl, commissioner of the Department of Children, discuss the new "Profile of Learning" standards requirement. Pelowski and Wedl also answer listener questions.
March 6, 1998 - A new light rail system for the Twin Cities is very close to becoming a reality -- perhaps closer than it's ever been. The State Senate yesterday (THURS) approved $49 Million dollars for a line linking downtown Minneapolis to the airport and the Mall of America... and today (FRI) key House members indicated they'll probably do the same. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports on how the LRT project got this far -- and what obstacles remain: So far, supporters of the Hiawatha corridor light rail project seem to have played all their cards right at the state capitol. They were careful to link the project with money to study other rail projects for the suburbs, which helped build support from non-urban legislators and even some Republicans -- who generally favor spending as little money this year as possible. St Louis Park Republican Jim Rhodes says this project crosses all kinds of boundaries: