December 18, 2001 - MPR’s Tasya Rosenfeld talks with David Fey about affordable housing in Minneapolis. Mayor-elect R.T. Rybak today introduced his 90-day plan to increase affordable housing in Minneapolis. Rybak says he wants to change development codes and regulations to encourage renovation. He also hopes to use four million dollars of Neighborhood Redevelopment funds to pay for more housing. Rybak has chosen David Fey, a long-time affordable housing advocate to be his deputy mayor. Fey was the vice chairman of a task force which recommended in 1999 that the city council spend fifty million dollars to create more affordable housing. Fey says one of Rybak's approaches to the housing crisis is to reduce the existing sea of red tape.
December 18, 2001 - Bemidji is down 400 students in the past 5 years. That means that there is a decrease in state revenue. There will be budget cuts even if they ask for more money.
December 19, 2001 - The State Department of Human Services predicts 2,700 families are going to be affected by the cut next July. Democrats want to suspend the cut for three years.
December 19, 2001 - A Hazelden Foundation report says Minnesotans between the ages of 12 and 25 rank among the highest in the nation in illegal drug use, binge drinking and tobacco use. Researchers say the report shows more young Minneotans are engaging in risky behavior. They say the findings prove the state needs to improve its alcohol, drug and tobacco prevention programs ....even as some state lawmakers are urging that funds earmarked for anti-tobacco education be diverted to solve the state's budget woes. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 19, 2001 - The US war in Afghanistan has been a showcase for advanced technology and there will be new technology coming out.
December 19, 2001 - The communities of International Falls, Minnesota and Fort Frances, Ontario have a casual, sister-city relationship. Though separated by the Rainy River and an international border, they share strong social and economic ties. But things changed after September 11th. As part of Mainstreet Radio's "On the Border" series, MPR's Tom Robertson reports on the Canadian view from Fort Frances.
December 19, 2001 - After East Grand Forks and Breckinridge were decimated by the floods of 1997, government buyouts moved hundreds of homes and businesses to higher ground. This past spring, floods along the Red, Mississippi, and Minnesota rivers fell just short of 1997 levels. After facing the rushing waters once again, at least one more town has decided enough is enough. The buyout effort in Granite Falls will be smaller, but no less significant for a city so closely tied to its river. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
December 19, 2001 - Osseo School District officials are backing away from plans for a four-day school week. They say when it comes up for a vote again next month, there probably won't be the votes to support the measure. Meanwhile, the Osseo School Board is still looking for ways to cut the budget to make up for what they're saying is a budget shortfall of 9 Million dollars. Last night Helms reports.
December 19, 2001 - As Tom reported, the Hazelden survey may be used by some Minnesota legislators as evidence that youth smoking prevention programs, paid for by the tobacco settlement, are not working. Republican Phil Krinkie of Shoreview would like the Legislature to consider using tobacco settlement money to help cover the state's two billion dollar shortfall.... and he's on the line now. Also joining us is State Health Commissioner, Jan Malcolm.
December 20, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on a legislative commission vote on the divisive issue of same-sex domestic partner benefits. The panel voted 7-to-5 to let the House and Senate decide for themselves whether to provide coverage for the same-sex partners of legislators and their staffs. The discussion foreshadows a larger debate in the upcoming session, with some lawmakers saying they'll vote to reject two union contracts that include the coverage.