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.
February 13, 2001 - A new poll shows half of Minnesotans support Democratic Senator Paul Wellstone's decision to seek a third term next year. In the first poll since Wellstone announced his re-election plans, Wellstone's job approval is the highest it's been since he took office, but Republicans say he's still vulnerable.
February 15, 2001 - The Twin Cities' airport is one of the region's most vital economic assets. Yet the public officials charged with planning its future have never known with much confidence just how important it is. The Twin Cities Airports Task Force has released a report which goes some distance toward gauging the contributions of the airport to the regional economy. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.