January 30, 2001 - MPR’s Patty Marsicano reports that the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System stepped up their drive today for more higher education state funding than Governor Jesse Ventura has proposed.
January 30, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura's tax bill got its first committee hearing at the State Capitol. Ventura's ambitious series of tax cuts and reforms faces an uncertain future. Even the bill's chief House author doesn't completely support all of it.
January 31, 2001 - Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen Blatz joins Midday’s Gary Eichten in the MPR studios to talk about the state of the judicial system in Minnesota. Focus of conversation is on how state court system is overwhelmed handling two million cases a year and the need for more funding. Justice Blatz also answers listener call-in questions.
January 31, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCullum reports on the Minnesota Twins latest effort to find support for a stadium plan at the State Capitol. This time, team officials are taking a go-slow approach, listening to legislators and floating ideas. Some lawmakers are warming to one idea that doesn't involve a direct taxpayer subsidy, but they say funding a new ballpark won't be a top priority during a busy budget session.
January 31, 2001 - Governor Ventura took his budget proposal for the University of Minnesota to the editorial page of the Star Tribune today. His piece, titled "Maybe Money Isn't the 'U' Problem," suggests the University could get by with fewer resources. The Governor's budget plan calls for a $56-million increase in U of M funding while the University has asked for almost four times that. Richard Pfutzenreuter (fitz-en-roy-ter) is Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the University of Minnesota. He takes issue with the governor's strategy of comparing the U of M to the University of Wisconsin, which Ventura says enjoys a higher research ranking even though it pays its professors less than Minnesota.
February 1, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura is defending the health care plan he proposed in his two-year budget. State lawmakers and health advocacy groups have criticized Ventura for not spending enough money on long-term care, the University of Minnesota's Academic Health Center and health insurance for children. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
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February 9, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes provides a summary report on Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton’s 2001 State of the City address. the mayor highlighted successful city initiatives, lower unemployment and crime, downtown construction, and a strong arts in downtown.