April 24, 2001 - A proposal advocates the state to produce bright yellow license plates for the choose life campaign. There is a lukewarm response across the board.
April 24, 2001 - MPR’s Erin Galbally reports on an operation to expand a 1,600 dairy cow operation, despite pollution concerns. The state's pollution control agency was served with a lawsuit for failing to order environmental testing on the site of a proposed Waseca dairy expansion.
April 24, 2001 - Transportation spending bills are taking shape in the Minnesota Legislature. A proposal crafted by House Republicans is expected to clear a House committee today (TUESDAY). It would ask Minnesota voters to permanently increase highway funding, but contains less money for transit and one-time projects than the Senate transportation bill. The Senate version, which cleared the tax committee last night (MONDAY), no longer includes a gas tax increase. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
April 25, 2001 - Census numbers show most people who move to the Twin Cities settle in outlying suburbs. The pressure that trend puts on fringe communities for roads, sewers and schools is a hot topic among people interested in managing Twin Cities growth. Developers say the only way to accomodate the expansion is open up more land faster for housing. Metropolitan Council officials say more of the growth needs to happen in areas where services are already in place. People attending a meeting in Bloomington today (Wednesday) will hear three views of how to respond to the trend. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. {Buzzword collecters can add infill to their list. Infill is planning jargon. Sprawling metropolitan areas like the Twin Cities have lots of room for infill - space for growth in between existing structures. Cities and first ring suburbs, Metropolitan Council chairman Ted Mondale says, are embracing infill out of self interest as a way to keep and attract residents.
April 25, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Tom Robertson reports on tribal sovereignty and the civil rights issues within reservation tribal courts.
April 25, 2001 - About 150 Minnesota teens congregated at the capitol yesterday to apply pressure on legislators. They want their money to fight the tobacco companies, but the government thinks that their cut is too big.
April 25, 2001 - As part of Mainstreet Radio series Broken Trust: Civil Rights in Indian Country, MPR’s Mark Steil reports on funding and discrimination battles Native American farmers face with the U.S. government.
April 25, 2001 - MPR’s Art Hughes reports on first public forum of three mayoral candidates. Affordable housing, downtown development and policing issues are among the main topics debated by the three candidates for Minneapolis mayor who are vying for the DFL endorsement. Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton debated challengers Lisa McDonald, Minneapolis City Council member; and R.T. Rybak, community activist/internet consultant.
April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that prospects for a major state income tax cut appear dim. House Republicans, who previously championed the idea of across-the-board income tax cuts say they're now leaning towards substantial property tax reform and relief. Governor Jesse Ventura and Senate DFLers are also promoting property tax cuts, but some conservative groups say House leaders are compromising their principles.
April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Marisa Helms that the Minnesota House and Senate are about $100 million apart in education spending. Both the Senate and House K-12 finance committees approved their main education funding bills shortly before final committee deadline. The main difference between the two bills is the amount of new spending and how each addresses fiscal inequity among school districts.