April 10, 2007 - State lawmakers are back to work today after a long Easter-Passover break. The DFL-controled House is set to start taking up budget bills this week.... bills that are already the target of veto threats by Governor Tim Pawlenty. Joining us this morning is Minnesota Public Radio Capitol reporter, Tom Scheck. Q: Where are we now on the budget? Q: How does the DFL legislature... and Governor Pawlenty reconcile their budget plans? Q: How will something like the Governor's job-Z program fit into the negotiations?Q: The governor has joined the budget fray on the airwaves too. He and some special interest groups have been airing radio and TV ads about the issue. Here's a taste of some of these ads.
April 11, 2007 - The City of Minneapolis is restructuring its revolving loan fund program to accommodate Muslim business owners. The program offers low-interest loans to small business owners whose ventures would help revitalize targeted areas of the city.
April 13, 2007 - On this Midday program, a broadcast of speech by U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District in the southern part of the state. Walz says America's foreign policy has become so focused on the goal of security that it has given short shrift to other important goals like human rights. He argues for a broader view of foreign policy and a departure from the "dichotomies" of American politics.
April 18, 2007 - All Thing Considered’s Tom Crann talks with Minnesota 1st District Representative Tim Walz about one of the deadliest days of the Iraq war in months after troop surge. The two discuss Iraq timelines, political solutions, funding of military, and Katrina recovery aid.
April 19, 2007 - The arrest of 49 people in Willmar last week is the latest move in a nationwide crack down on illegal immigrants. Officials say nearly half of those in custody had previous criminal convictions or had been ordered in the past to leave the country. The rest were arrested because they were in the country illegally. Immigrants have been on edge since 200 illegal workers were arrested last December at the Swift and Company meat packing plant in Worthington. But some say the arrests in Willmar represent a more aggressive approach to dealing with illegal immigration. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Post reports.
April 30, 2007 -
May 3, 2007 - MPR’s Toni Randolph reports on Graves Desecration Reconciliation Working Group, a St. Paul group that is working with U.S. diplomatic officials in Thailand to resolve an issue that has angered members of Minnesota's Hmong community. They're trying to figure out what to do with the disinterred remains of some of their relatives once buried near a Buddhist temple in Thailand.
May 8, 2007 - The Ham Lake fire continues to burn unpredictably and furiously at the end of the Gunflint trail. Governor Pawlenty flew over the fire this morning and spoke with residents. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill spent much of the day with fire crew members and joins us now from the Gunflint.
May 9, 2007 - The Minnesota House and Senate approved a $3.2-billion higher education funding bill that now goes on to face Gov. Pawlenty's veto. DFL supporters of the bill contend it sticks to basics and makes up for past underfunding of the state's colleges and universities. Pawlenty calls it uninspiring and devoid of any reform with a ballooning price tag in outlying years. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
May 12, 2007 - Minnesota is set to become the twentieth state in the nation to have a statewide smoking ban. Early this morning, the Minnesota House passed a bill that would ban smoking in all bars and restaurants across the state. Governor Pawlenty says he'll sign it. The bill's passage comes after a day of doubt about whether there were enough votes to get it to Governor Pawlenty's desk. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..