May 16, 2001 - House and Senate committees will vote today (WEDNESDAY) on legislative redistricting proposals designed to account for population shifts in the 2000 census. Senate D-F-L'ers released their plan yesterday (TUESDAY), and Republicans immediately attacked it as blatantly partisan. The posturing comes as time is running short for a redistricting agreement yet this session. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
May 17, 2001 - With the dedication of Mondale Hall at the University of Minnesota Law School, MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki profiles Walter Mondale’s law career. Mondale has been most noted for his career in politics, virtually nothing has been written about his time at the University of Minnesota law school and how his education and contacts there shaped his future and ultimately the future of Minnesota and the nation. Segment includes numerous interviews.
May 17, 2001 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki reports on dedication of Mondale Hall at University of Minnesota Law School, which naked its building complex after its most acclaimed alumnus, Walter Mondale. Former President Jimmy Carter spoke at the dedication and praised Mondale as a man of integrity.
May 17, 2001 - Nearly 9,000 nurses will vote today on a proposed contract for 13 Twin Cites hospitals. Earlier this week, the union's leadership rejected a final contract offer by the hospitals and are urging the membership to vote against the proposal. Since the nurses at each hospital will either ratify or turn down the proposed contract, the nurses, hospitals and prospective patients will be watching the vote closely to see if the nurses will strike. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 17, 2001 - Now it's time for your comments. With president George W Bush is in Minnesota this morning to unveil his energy plan, we asked you, the listeners and visitors to our web site, for comments on what you think America's energy policies should be. And you responded with comments to our Soap Box feature at Minnesota Public Radio dot o-r-g. ... Brent in St. Paul writes: Conservation and efficient energy use must the central element in any energy plan. Americans by nature are wasteful. This habit has got to change. Increased use of renewable resources must also be a big part of any energy plan. There are plenty of sources out there just waitng to be tapped or futher exploited. These include wind, and solar energy. How about a tax credit for installation of solar panels on homes? Yet, why did the President cut funding for research and development into these renewable sources of energy? Those in charge of setting long-term policy should realize that these alternative sources of energy are INfinite and must be the central piece of any long-term plan. Richard Peterson of Moorehead writes: The Free-Market Approach Won't Work. The problem with it when it comes to energy is that the free market has a very short-term view. It will use up a resource before the rising costs promotes the development of alternatives. We must be proactive by promoting alternatives to burning fossil fuels. Yes, there are problems to be solved in developing alternative energy sources, but that is an opportunity for innovation and creativity. It can, and must be the next big driver for our economy, but it will require public, legislative incentives to start it up. The free market will wait until we use up the most convenient energy source before moving on to alternatives. Ken Hinnenkamp of Eden Prairie wrote this in our online Soapbox: We should think more long-term when trying to find solutions to our tough energy problems, which are likely to continue to get worse unless we all change our behavior. Cheap gas prices causes us to bu
May 17, 2001 - President George W. Bush is scheduled to arrive at the Twin Cities International Airport in just over a half-hour. The President is coming here to announce his long-awaited national energy policy. He'll make that announcement at RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul and that's where Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik is standing by. Good morning Mark. 1. SO WHAT'S ON THE PRESDIENT'S SCHEDULE? 2. What about protesters Mark... already a lot of environmental groups are criticizing the Bush plan. Where will they be? 3. Why is all of this taking place in St. Paul? 4. We had been getting used to seeing President Clinton around the state especally last year. How will the Bush visit differ from past Clinton stops?
May 17, 2001 - Protestors are opposing Bush's energy bill because it is harmful to the environment. It would rely on too much coal.
May 17, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that it's unrealistic to expect the House and Senate to be settled on big bill items by June 30th. Governor Ventura said that he is not going to bail them out by allowing for a special session.
May 17, 2001 - President Bush today outlined a wide-ranging energy policy he says the country needs to avoid increasing fuel costs AND power black outs like those in California. The President unveiled his energy agenda before an audience in downtown St. Paul. The plan calls for more power plants, more power lines and pipelines... and more nuclear energy. But the President says conservation and alternative energy development are also keys parts of his policy. We have two reports .... BEGINNING with Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik...
May 17, 2001 - The Minnesota Nurses Association reports an overwhelming turnout today as its members vote on a contract proposal from 13 Twin Cities hospitals. If the nearly nine thousand nurses vote against the contract, a strike is possible. We'll talk with representatives on both sides. First, Jan Rabbers is spokesperson for the Minnesota Nurses Association. She says the majority of bargaining units are recommending nurses reject the contract