May 26, 2003 - Minnesotans around the state commemorated Memorial Day today (Monday). At the state capitol, Korean immigrants were among hundreds who celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the Korean war. Earlier this morning at the Fort Snelling National Cemetary in Minneapolis, U.S. Senator Norm Coleman and an audience of veterans honored those who died fighting in the nation's wars.
May 26, 2003 - Legislative leaders are meeting again on this holiday in hopes of reaching a deal on the final budget bill. Lawmakers reached a deal early this morning on three of the four outstanding budget items. Leaders say they hope they can compromise on the $7.3 billion health and human services bill today. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
May 26, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders have made a major breakthrough in budget negotations. Negotiators met late last night and into the morning to craft agreements on transportation funding, aid payments to local governments, and state borrowing. Lawmakers are expected to return later today to tackle the final piece of the puzzle the health and human services budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 27, 2003 - The Pawlenty Administration and Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum say they'd be open to considering changes to the so-called concealed carry law. The law takes effect tomorrow . The law requires local sheriffs to issue a handgun permit to almost any law abiding Minnesotan over the age of 21. The Legislature passed the bill earlier this session and within hours, it was signed into law by Governor Pawlenty. Opponents say the governor and the bill's supporters didn't carefully consider some aspects of the bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 27, 2003 - Some changes may already be in store for the so-called concealed carry gun law that goes into effect tomorrow (Weds). Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum says he'd like to make a change to the law in the final days of the special legislative session. The law requires local sheriffs to issue a handgun permit to almost any law-abiding Minnesotan over the age of 21. Both Sviggum and Governor Pawlenty say they'd like to make what they consider a technical correction to the bill. But opponents say the two leaders are backtracking because critics are calling the bill onerous. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 28, 2003 -
May 28, 2003 - State lawmakers are in danger of missing yet another of their self-imposed timeposts. The fate of a $217 million bonding bill is unresolved in the House. That could lead to delays in approving other elements of the state budget. House lawmakers last night did pass a transportation funding bill and a tax measure that avoids any new state taxes. But Senate DFLers adjourned without taking any action. They say the bonding bill, which authorizes an increase in state debt for long-term investments, is their top priority. And they say they won't consider the other budget measures until the House passes it. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 28, 2003 - One week into the special session, the Minnesota House has passed a transportation bill that could put as much as 900-million dollars into road projects over the next four years. The bill would borrow for projects and use an advance of federal money, an approach criticized by Democrats as short-sighted. Senate DFL leaders say they won't take up the transportation bill until the House also passes a capital investment bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
May 29, 2003 - A new law requires students at Minnesota public schools to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week. Governor Pawlenty signed the legislation on Monday. He says the law will help instill American values in the state's children.
May 29, 2003 - Legislative inaction has forced state lawmakers into at least one more day of budget wrangling as they struggle to erase a projected $4.2 billion deficit. But House and Senate leaders say they hope to break the impasse later today (THURSDAY) with final votes on both a health and human services package and a bonding bill that borrows money for state building projects. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael reports on the budget gridlock.