May 11, 2001 - Negotiating teams for the Minnesota Nurses Association and 13 Twin Cities Hospitals begin discussing the financial terms for a new nurses contract today . The contracts for nearly 9,000 nurses expires on May 31st and the nurses union says its members want better working conditions, higher pay and a better system to attract younger people into the field. Yesterday, the union held an informational picket outside of one of the hospitals to draw attention to their cause. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
May 11, 2001 -
May 11, 2001 - Minnesota Twins' unexpected success on the field is helping persuade in a new Minnesota House stadium proposal. In it, citizen contributions are stripped from the proposal and state government would contribute only by waiving the tax on construction supplies.
May 14, 2001 - 13 Twin Cities Hospitals and the Minnesota Nurses Association will continue negotiating the financial portion of a new contract today (MONDAY). The contracts for 9,000 nurses in the Twin Cities expire on May 31st. Throughout contract talks, the union has been asking for higher pay, but says more nurses and better care are their top priorities. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 14, 2001 - Steve Schier -- Monday Morning Edition DCart #3263 President Bush is planning to unveil that energy policy during a visit to St. Paul on Thursday. The President will also tour an alternative energy plant while he's here. With rolling blackouts in California and rising gas prices across the country, energy is becoming a high profile issue for the Bush administration. Joining us to discuss the politics of energy is Stephen Schier is chair of the Poiltical Science Department at Carleton College in Northfield.
May 14, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the stalemate over an abortion waiting period that continues at the Capitol. A massive health and human services spending bill that contains the controversial provision is languishing on Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum's desk, delaying an almost-certain gubernatorial veto. Both sides in the abortion debate are accusing each other of playing politics.
May 14, 2001 - The agency that manages the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis presented a report which concludes the public favors a new ballpark for the Twins…but the Vikings can make do in the Metrodome if it's renovated. Consultant John Himle, who distilled the comments into the report, says they show the public feels an urgency to deal with the Twins stadium issue. He also says the comments are not related to the teams current success on the field.
May 14, 2001 - President Bush will unveil his energy policy next Thursday when he visits St. Paul. He'll highlight the efforts of the city's riverfront District Energy plant, which provides heating and cooling to many downtown businesses. The President is expected to encourage conservation and the development of more renewable energy sources. But as midwest gas prices hover around the two dollar mark, his primary focus will be increasing conventional energy supplies. Mayor Norm Coleman says the trip is a tremendous honor for St. Paul.
May 14, 2001 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports on a House committee approving a package that removes most of the public subsidies from the ballpark plan. The Twins say it's doubtful they would support such a deal, but they say they were encouraged by the suggestion they study the financing plan used for the Minnesota Wild hockey arena.
May 14, 2001 - Lawmakers at the Minnesota capitol have until one week from today to wrap up the session. Among other things, that means agreeing on a tax bill, a health and human services bill, and possibly a Twins stadium bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum is on the line now.