April 28, 2003 -
April 28, 2003 - As the Legislature heads into the closing days of the debate over how to eliminate the budget deficit, a Minneapolis couple has entered the fray. They've started a website and a lawn sign campaign and are calling on lawmakers to keep tax increases on the negotiating table. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
April 28, 2003 - The Minnesota Senate has been debating for more than six hours a bill that would change the state's handgun permitting process. The bill -- which is expected to pass -- would allow almost every law abiding Minnesotan over the age of 21 to carry a handgun in Minnesota. Supporters say current law is unfair because local law enforcement has too much discretion when it comes to issuing permits. Opponents say the bill would make the state more dangerous. They also said the Minneesota House was dictating the Senate's agenda by forcing the Senate to vote up or down on the issue. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
April 29, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty has signed into law a bill the Minnesota Senate passed yesterday (Mon) requiring county sheriffs to issue a handgun permit to almost any law abiding Minnesotan over the age of 21. The bill passed 37-to-30 after what several observers say was the longest Senate floor debate in recent memory. The House passed the measure last week. Supporters say current law is unfair because local law enforcement has too much discretion when it comes to issuing permits. Opponents say the bill would make the state more dangerous. They also said the Minnesota House was dictating the Senate's agenda by forcing the Senate to vote up or down on the issue. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
April 29, 2003 - The Senate Finance Committee has approved a health and human services bill that would restore nearly 500 million dollars in cuts that Governor Pawlenty and House Republicans have proposed. The money would go for nursing homes, daycare and health insurance for low income Minnesotans. The governor and House Republicans say the Senate plan is unacceptable since it raises taxes to offset the proposed cuts. But Senate DFLers say their plan would help the state's most vulnerable during an economic downturn. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 29, 2003 -
April 29, 2003 - The Minnesota House has approved a transportation funding bill that injects more than $1 billion in new money for road projects over the next five years. The plan closely mirrors the proposal favored by Governor Tim Pawlenty. But critics say it offers too little new cash. The body also approved spending reductions in the courts and criminal justice system. The two budget bills are the first to pass the House this year. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
April 29, 2003 -
May 1, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty has released new guidelines for distributing aid payments to cities across Minnesota. Administration officials say the new local government aid formula eliminates historical inequities in state assistance and focuses exclusively on a city's needs and resources. But city representatives say the formula isn't the point. While the distribution of aid may change, they argue the governor is also slashing the total amount of aid across the board, leaving municipal officials with few options. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
May 1, 2003 -