January 23, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty has appointed a Republican House member and inspector for the Minneapolis Police Department as his Public Safety commissioner. Pawlenty says Representative Rich Stanek has the credentials to handle the job. Stanek has been instrumental in passing tougher crime sentences and getting money for equipment for local police and fire fighters. However, Stanek's critics say he has an abrasive personality and they worry about his track record on civil liberties. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 24, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and his commissioner of Trade and Economic Development presented their proposal for Tax free zones in Hibbing today. The proposal is designed to encourage new business and job growth in outstate Minnesota. Earlier in the day, the Governor visited Keewatin where he talked with representatives of National Steel Pellet and its labor union. Another steel company has bid on National Steel Pellet's parent company--- but the Minnesota taconite producer is not included. Local union officials are worried about the plants future as a result. Minnesota Public Radio's Bob Kelleher is in Hibbing and joins us on the line
January 28, 2003 -
January 29, 2003 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews John Munger about the first annual City of Lakes Loppet ski race. The lack of significant snow cover in the Twin Cities isn't going to derail event. Organizers are working to install a shortened course on the ice of Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. The race was conceived by R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis, as a way to help designate the city "the urban sports capitol of America." Munger, the race’s director, says experts from Mora's popular Vasaloppet ski marathon are tackling the difficult job of grooming the icy course.
January 30, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty today (Thurs) proposed stricter work requirements for welfare recipients. Pawlenty's proposal would require welfare recipients to look for a job before they're eligbile for cash assistance. He says that would force recipients to become more self-sufficient. Critics say the plan would get people off of welfare rolls but not out of poverty. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 31, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty has proposed stricter work requirements for welfare recipients. Pawlenty released a plan yesterday that would require welfare recipients to look for a job before they're eligbile for cash assistance. He says his goal is to make welfare recipients more self sufficient. Pawlenty says the program will also drop recipients from the program if they don't follow the rules. Critics say the plan would get people off of welfare rolls but not out of poverty. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 31, 2003 - A group called the Air Cargo Development committee wants to stop the loss of international air freight business to Chicago. The group wants to develop a major freight operation near the Twin Cities International airport... and is teaming up with the Metropolitan Airports Commission and the Minnesota Transportation Department to lobby the state for help. They want 3 million dollars from the legislature to pay for a study of the idea... which they're calling "The Minnesota Gateway Project." The story is the topic of an article in today's edition of "The Business Journal." Reporter Andrew Tellijohn wrote the story and says putting the Gateway Project in a central location would be an important start.
January 31, 2003 - House Republicans say they intend to move quickly on Governor Pawlenty's proposed changes to the state's welfare program. Pawlenty yesterday (Thurs) proposed stricter work requirments and tougher sanctions for welfare recipients. He says the plan would help welfare recipients end their cycle of dependency. Others say Pawlenty's proposal is mean-spirited which could cause headaches for Minnesota's larger counties. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 3, 2003 - When Governor Tim Pawlenty outlined his plans for erasing a $356 million deficit projected between now and the end of June, affected interest groups converged on St. Paul to beg a reprieve. Producers of the corn-based fuel ethanol were among the most visible -- and not surprisingly, they've seen the most success at preserving their funding. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo examines the lobbying war at the Capitol.
February 4, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty has appointed the CEO of the Mercy Hospital and Health Care Center in Moose Lake as his health commissioner. Pawlenty says Dianne Mandernach will lead the Health Department in safeguarding the public health, preparing the state for a possible bioterrorist attack and addressing the rising cost of health care. Mandernach says her experience at a rural medical center will help her address the state's health care needs. Her appointment, however, comes with some controversy. Supporters of legalized abortion worry about Mandernach's opposition to abortion. They say she may support restrictions on the state's family planning grants. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...