December 12, 2002 - Saint Paul city council members have adopted a $500-million city budget for 2003. It's the tenth straight year Saint Paul has put together its budget without seeking an increase in the property tax levy. But for many in City Hall, satisfaction over that accomplishment is overshadowed by concern about difficult financial decisions that lie ahead. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports...
December 12, 2002 - In Rochester Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty today agreed to a genomics research partnership with the Mayo Clinic. The announcement comes a year after Mayo leaders said they'd be lobbying for more state funding. Mayo officials claim other nationally known medical centers already receive public funding and the clinic doesn't want to lose its position as a pre-eminent research institution. Mainstreet Radio's Laurel Druley reports. {Pawlenty would not talk specifically about how much money the state is willing to give to the research partnership. But last year Mayo Clinic said it needed $80 million over the next four years to become a leader in the rapidly developing field of genomics.
December 13, 2002 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Keith Ellison, a State Representative from Minneapolis, about State budget shortfall. Solving the budget shortfall will be the top priority of the Republican caucus, that issue was also the top of a meeting last night in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Urban League, the NAACP, and the Council on Black Minnesotans met to discuss their ideas for the upcoming session.
December 16, 2002 - Curt Johnson, former executive director of the Citizens League, former chief of staff to Gov. Arne Carlson, and former chair of the Metropolitan Council, answers questions surrounding the state budget. The early stages of the budget debate have put people into two camps: those who say the state has to raise taxes to solve the budget shortfall and those who say the state spends too much and it's time to cut back. Is it possible for the state to reform the way it delivers services? Can Minnesota preserve the quality of service government provides, but cut the cost of providing those services?
December 16, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo presents highlights of four years with Governor Jesse Ventura, and Minnesota's brief experiment with three-party government.
December 17, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum examines Governor Jesse Ventura’s legacy, taking a look at taxes, state budget, education, light rail, deficit, and judiciary.
December 18, 2002 - Bringing a casino to St. Paul is now the subject of preliminary discussions between minority business groups in the city... two indian tribes... and city officials. The idea was discussed in meetings yesterday with the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and the Red Lake Band of Chippewa. A casino located near downtown St. Paul could serve as a tourist draw, and add revenues for the city during tough economic times. The idea echoes a similar move made by the City of Duluth more than a decade ago, when it allowed a casino to open downtown. Joining us on the line is longtime Duluth city council member Neill Atkins. That is Duluth city council member Neill Atkins.
December 20, 2002 - Governor Ventura has denied Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty's request to stop the state's aid payment to local governments. Cities and counties are scheduled to receive half of their annual aid payment on December twenty-sixth. Pawlenty asked Governor Ventura yesterday (THURS) to delay that payment so he would have more options when it comes to balancing the state's budget. Local government officials say they're relieved but also know they won't be held harmless in the upcoming session. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 26, 2002 -
December 30, 2002 - When the 2003 Legislature convenes next week the main task facing lawmakers and Governor-elect Tim Pawlenty is how to deal with a four-and-a-half billion dollar budget deficit. The financial squeeze will affect almost every decision they make in the next few months. Yet just a couple of years ago, state officials were swimming in a sea of cash. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum looks at the dramatic downturn in Minnesota's economy - and what the state's leaders plan to do about it...