February 12, 2003 - Gas prices are on the rise and have hit a dollar 64 a gallon this morning in the Twin Cities. Possible war in Iraq... and a general strike in oil-rich Venezuela are major reasons for the increases. But the prices at Minnesota pumps may be especially high because of the nature of state's gasoline market. The state Attorney General's office examined the structure of the market
February 13, 2003 -
February 17, 2003 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on bills that ratify contracts for state workers clearing legislative hurdles. The bills include pay and benefit provisions agreed to by state employee unions and the Ventura administration. But they're missing another provision -- health benefits for same-sex domestic partners. Gay and lesbian groups say removing the benefits is a slap in the face.
February 17, 2003 - Mainstreet Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports on pesticide misuse in Minnesota, and investigates how violations of the law are often not punished, and sometimes ignored.
February 18, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty today (TUESDAY) will release his plan for erasing a $4.2 billion deficit projected over the next two years. The state's fiscal shortfall is one of the largest in recent memory. Bridging the gap will dominate discussion at the Capitol for the remainder of the session -- and is complicated by Pawlenty's pledge NOT to raise taxes to close the divide. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
February 19, 2003 -
February 19, 2003 -
February 20, 2003 -
February 20, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty's plan to close a 4-point-2 billion dollar projected budget deficit doesn't just have financial impact across the state. It also has a political impact too. Pawlenty's budget makes cuts... or limits growth in health programs... higher education... and state employee pay. It also spends much of the tobacco endowments. But his budget also largely preserved funding for K-through-12 education... and included no new taxes. Joining us on the line to talk about the politics of the budget is Chris Gilbert... professor of political science at Gustavus Adolphus College.
February 20, 2003 - County sheriffs and other local jail administrators are criticizing Governor Pawlenty's proposal to shift short-term offenders from state prisons to county jails. As a budget savings measure, Pawlenty would like county jails to hold any prisoners sentenced to six months or less. Sheriffs say the proposal shifts costs from the state to the counties. They also argue that many county jails are near full capacity already. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....