March 20, 2002 - (NOTE1: This has not been edited.) (NOTE2: This was written when it appeared Kennedy would NOT make a decision Tuesday night -- but it's 12:15am EST and no one is answering phones at his office or returning numerous messages. If he DOES make a decision, then you'll have to spike this pkg and come up with a new Morning Edition feature for the Congressional redistricting.) New political districts drawn by a special state court panel could pit two of the state's incumbent Congressmen against each other in the fall. The map has paired DFLer Bill Luther and Republican Mark Kennedy in a newly constituted 6th District. The panel released the Congressional map -- along with a new state Legislative map -- yesterday (TUESDAY) after lawmakers failed to meet a deadline for completing the task themselves. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
March 20, 2002 - Second District Republican Representative Mark Kennedy said today he'll announce on Friday which congressional district he plans to run in. The redistricting map released yesterday has him paired with Democratic Congressman Bill Luther in the sixth District. Bob Webber is a professor of political science at St. John's University. He says Kennedy has a tough decision to make:
March 21, 2002 - The Minnesota House has passed a sweeping anti-terrorism bill that toughens penalties and funds new equipment and training for law enforcement. Opponents say the bill goes too far, while supporters say the restrictions are necessary to protect public safety. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
March 21, 2002 - Some Minnesota lawmakers are making tough decisions about their political futures, after a new redistricing plan was released earlier this week. The court-drawn maps redesign congressional and legislative boundaries based on population information in the 2000 census. Under the new plan, 52 incumbents are pitted against one another in this fall's elections-- forcing them to decide whether to take on another seated lawmaker. DFL representatives Alice Hausman from St. Paul and Mary Jo McGuire from Falcon Heights are now in the same district. They both join us on the line now. That's DFL representative Alice Hausman from St. Paul. We also spoke with Representative Mary Jo McGuire from Falcon Heights.
March 21, 2002 -
March 21, 2002 - The state redistricting map released this week divides the state's population nearly EQUALLY among the eight Congressional districts. Based on census 2000 data, each district is home to exactly 614,935 people, with the exception of the second district, which is one person short. Joe Mansky is an elections expert who managed Governor Ventura's redistricting plan. He says new computer programs make it much easier for map makers to balance district populations:
March 21, 2002 - (NOTE: This has not been edited) The Minnesota Twins are celebrating a House committee's approval of new ballpark legislation. The House Ways and Means committee voted 22-to-6 late last night (WEDNESDAY) in favor of a bill modelled closely on a financing plan offered by Governor Jesse Ventura last week. The plan envisions a limited role for the state's contribution -- but the version approved in committee would give a host community the option of raising local taxes to help fund the project. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
March 22, 2002 - Senators Paul Wellstone and Mark Dayton traveled to Brainerd today (Friday) to meet with Potlatch workers who may lose their jobs in 60 days if new buyers close the plant as expected. The senators tried to reassure the workers and told them they'd try to do their best to find a buyer for the plant. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.
March 22, 2002 - In an unusual move, the Minnesota House today approved labor contracts negotiated with state employee unions - after removing health benefits for same-sex domestic partners. Senate DFL leaders support the benefits, and Governor Ventura called the House action "homophobic". Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports:
March 22, 2002 -