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:
March 13, 1998 - National Public Radio's Ray Suarez, host of "Talk of the Nation,” is interviewed via satellite from Washington DC. Topics include Lewinsky scandal, state of journalism, and talk radio. Suarez also answers listener questions.
March 16, 1998 - Bernie Omann, Governor Carlson's chief of staff, visits the MPR studios to talk about the Governor's priorities for the final weeks of the legislative session. Topics include hockey arena, light-rail transit, taxes, and university funding. Omann also answers listener questions.
March 17, 1998 - Steven Schier, political science professor at Carleton College, discusses poll taken in Minnesota which showed that not many people know who their U.S. Senators are. Does this matter? Why does it happen? Schier also answers listener questions.