March 14, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck report that a Senate committee chairman looking into the cost of Governor Ventura's executive protection has postponed hearings originally scheduled. Senator Dean Johnson says he still expects the Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee to take up the issue, but he hasn't decided on a date.
March 14, 2002 -
March 15, 2002 -
March 15, 2002 -
March 15, 2002 - Governor Jesse Ventura enters the Twins ballpark debate with a plan of his own. Ventura's proposal avoids any new taxes, user fees, or surcharges, and relies strictly on a multi-part financing plan to shift the costs entirely onto the team. Lawmakers say the plan shows promise, but the package requires a substantial upfront investment by the Twins. The team has recently balked at paying cash upfront.
March 18, 2002 - Minnesota lawmakers are preparing for a busy week at the capitol. They have yet to agree on a bonding bill, phase two of balancing the budget, or a stadium bill. Legislative leaders say they hope to finish their work and adjourn by Easter. Joining us now is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.
March 18, 2002 -
March 19, 2002 - Longtime DFL State Senator Doug Johnson is retiring after more than 30 years in the legislaure. Johnson made his announcement yesterday, one day before a court-appointed panel was to issue a redistricting plan. Johnson is one of the state's most powerful lawmakers, having chaired the Senate Tax Committee for 21 years and more recently headed the Senate Finance Committee. Political observer Wy Spano has been watching Senator Johnson for many of those years. Spano is the Editor of Politics in Minnesota, and he's on the line now. That's Wy Spano, the co-editor of "Politics in Minnesota." For more information on Doug Johnson's retirement go to our web site, MinnesotaPublicRadio.org. That's also the place to look for the details of the redistricting plan when it comes out at 1:00 today.
March 19, 2002 - Governor Jesse Ventura is coming back from Germany later today. His trip was intended to promote tourism in Minnesota and to build relationships that could result in more trade. On his trip, he made several speeches, and he met with the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, and with a number of business groups. Joining us on the line is Anneliese (ANN-uh-leese) Sullivan, president of the American German Business Club in Berlin. That's Anneliese (ANN-uh-leese) Sullivan, president of the American German Business Club in Berlin.
March 19, 2002 - Steven Schier is Chairman of the political science department at Carleton College. He says the most dramatic redistricting changes involve the legislative districts: