January 14, 2003 -
January 14, 2003 -
January 15, 2003 - On a 20-to-3 vote, a House committee yesterday Supporters say the measure is a tool for law enforcement to maintain public safety. Critics say the measure makes scapegoats of foreigners and is a form of racial profiling. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
January 15, 2003 - People in Grand Rapids are wondering what will happen to their town with the sudden lay-off of 300 workers at the Blandin Paper plant last week. Governor Tim Pawlenty went to Grand Rapids yesterday to talk with workers and company representatives. And he held a community meeting. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin has this report.
January 15, 2003 - Minnesota state agencies, non-profits and universities are looking at ways to trim their budgets to deal with Governor Pawlenty's proposed budget cuts. The Governor yesterday released his plan to eliminate a projected 356-Million dollar deficit in the last half of fiscal year 2003. Pawlenty wants to use one-time money, and make cuts to state agencies, programs and higher education. This is just the first round of budget cuts. In the next fiscal year, Minnesota is facing a projected 4-point-2 Billion dollar deficit. While the Governor is busy trying to balance the state's finances--his actions are having an effect on many Minnesota institutions. The University of Minnesota is facing a cut of 25-Million dollars in state funding. Christine Maziar (may -tsar) is the executive vice president and provost for the U of M. She says the proposed cuts are a big blow to the University:
January 16, 2003 -
January 17, 2003 - Many state agencies are looking for ways to trim their budgets in light of Governor Tim Pawlenty's proposal for fixing the $356 million shortfall in fiscal year. One of those agencies is the Metropolitan Council, which takes a $2.6 million cut in the governor's plan. Peter Bell, the new chair for the Met Council, talks about future plans and budget priorities.
January 17, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty today FRIDAY appointed former DFL senator Gene Merriam to lead the state Department of Natural Resources. Merriam is a vice-president for ECM publishers and served for 22 years in the state Senate. He was a key player in the Senate, heading the Finance committee and the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee. As DNR commissioner he will face a number of challenges, including a shrinking budget and a host of competing interests. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
January 17, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is expected to publicly reveal his choice for Department of Natural Resources commissioner later today. Gene Merriam is a former DFL state senator from Coon Rapids. His name rose to the top of the list after an intense 2-month search for the right person for the job. He met Pawlenty's requirement that the DNR commissioner be an outdoors enthusiast. Merriam is also a former chair of the Senate Finance and Environment and Natural Resources committee... and cosponsored a bill that created the state's environmental trust fund. Republican Dennis Ozment is chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee. He says he's pleased with the announcement.
January 20, 2003 - PRT, personal rapid transit, has arrived in Minnesota - at least a small version. A sixty-foot length of guideway and a prt vehicle are being assembled in Fridley. Building the prototype marks thirty years of effort by retired University of Minnesota engineering professor Ed Anderson, one of prt's best known boosters. Personal rapid transit is not new. A system is running in at least one American city. Others, including Minneapolis, are taking a wait-and-see approach. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.