March 19, 2002 - For the latest on what's happening at the Capitol, go to the Session 2002 page on our web site, MinnesotaPublicRadio.org. Minnesota will get a new political map this afternoon. A five-judge panel will release new congressional and legislative district boundaries. The boundaries will reflect changes in population in the 2000 census, and could have a significant effect on this fall's elections. The panel of judges is determining the boundaries because Democratic, Republican, and Independence Party officials could not agree on a plan. We spoke with Mike Erlandson, who is the chair of the Minnesota DFL party, and Bill Walsh who oversees redistricting for the state Republican party. Walsh says he's hoping for a long-overdue correction in the district boundaries.
March 19, 2002 -
March 19, 2002 - ATV riders and opponents packed a hearing room at the state capitol Monday as the state legislature considers restrictions on ATV use. Right now, ATV's are allowed to go almost anywhere on most state forest land, but such unfettered riding faces growing opposition. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
March 20, 2002 - Interest groups with vastly different visons of the future of the Mississippi River turned out last night for a public meeting held by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps presented its latest version of a study on whether to expand the lock and dam system on the upper Mississippii. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure reports.
March 20, 2002 - Hennepin County is facing a shortage of election judges. The volunteer judges oversee the voting process at each polling location by registering voters and collecting ballots. Hennepin County officials say they'd like to recruit about 2-thousand more judges to serve in this fall's elections. Pat O'Connor is the Hennepin County Auditor. He's on the line now. That's Hennepin County Auditor Pat O'Connor. The number to call...
March 20, 2002 -
March 20, 2002 - Minnesota lawmakers are getting acquainted with the state's new political landscape. A court plan released yesterday adjusts congressional and legislative districts based on population changes in the 2000 census. The new maps shift power away from out-state Minnesota to Twin Cities suburbs. Joining us on the line now is John Sundvor, a lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. That's John Sundvor, a lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
March 20, 2002 - The legislative redistricting map released by the court yesterday (TUESDAY) pits 52 incumbents - more than a fourth of the Legislature - against one another in the 2002 election. The plan also reflects the growing political clout of the suburbs. Under the plan, rural Minnesota and the inner cities lose some legislative seats, while suburban areas gain seats. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
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: