December 28, 2000 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Neva Walker, who was elected to represent District 61B in South Minneapolis. In a weeks time, she will be sworn-in as the first African American state legislator. Walker is a DFLer who, like all new legislators, will have to transition into her new job.
December 28, 2000 - In Minnesota the population grew by more than 12 percent in the last decade, enough for the state to hang onto all 8 congressional seats. The growth rate far outpaced the previous two decades, when the rate was closer to seven percent. Tom Gillaspy is the Minnesota State Demographer. He says the impressive increase wasn't impressive enough for Minnesota to hang on to its rank as the 20th most populous state:
December 29, 2000 - House Government Operations chair Jim Rhodes and Eric Lipman say people assume that Minnesota does not have the potential to have the election problem that Florida did.
December 29, 2000 -
January 2, 2001 - {For Jan. 2, 2001} Education issues are expected to dominate much of the debate when the 2001 Minnesota Legislature convenes this week. Lawmakers will tackle proposals on classroom funding, alternative pay systems for teachers and school accountability. They could also end up going back to the drawing board on the Profile of Learning graduation standards. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports...
January 2, 2001 - Anti-smoking activists are going out for lunch today in Duluth. A city ordinance went into effect yesterday banning smoking in restaurants -- or at least restricting it. Today at lunchtime, representatives of an anti-smoking group are checking dozens of restaurants to see if the businesses are obeying the new law. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports from Duluth.
January 2, 2001 - Two Minneapolis lawyers are at Angola Prison in Louisianna today, preparing for the release of their client --death row inmate Albert Ronnie Burrell. Steve Pincus and Chuck Lloyd have been working on Burrell's case pro bono since 1991. Burrell was sentenced to death in 1987 for the shooting deaths of an elderly couple. Today, a judge granted Burrell a new trial and the state dismissed the charges agaist him, allowing him to walk free. I spoke with Chuck Lloyd on his way to the prison earlier this afternoon. He says when he read the transcript of Burrell's original trial, it didn't seem to hold together:
January 3, 2001 - The 2001 legislative session got underway today (WEDNESDAY) with Democrats and Republicans sparring in the House. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Governor Ventura picked up his first party ally. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
January 3, 2001 - It's a busy day for politics in Washington, too. Minnesota's three new members of Congress will be sworn in today. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo is out in Washington for the ceremony. He's on the line now. Good morning, Michael.
January 3, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Democrat John Hottinger, the assistant majority leader of the senate, and Republican Tim Pawlenty, the majority leader of the house, about the start of Minnesota state legislature. Legislators are expected to tackle some sticky issues, like what to do with a projected three billion dollar surplus, along with campaign finance proposals, and the high price of prescription drugs.