May 10, 2001 - The state House will take up a six-point-three billion dollar health and human services spending bill today. The bill includes a 24-hour abortion waiting period, which is also in the Senate bill. Governor Ventura has pledged to veto the entire bill if it arrives on his desk with the abortion language included. If that happens, it could shut down the Health and Human Services department. Joining us on the line is Chris Gilbert, Political Science Professor at Gustavus Adolphus.
May 11, 2001 - Health experts who have fought the negative effects of tobacco use are now researching possibilities of reducing harm of tobacco.
May 11, 2001 - < William Moyer, president of the Johnson Institute Foundation based in the Twin Cities. It's a think tank that promotes greater understanding of alcohol and drug addiction and recovery issues. 7:00 CT (8:00 ET, he's in D.C.) will call 6000. 202.974.4146 rm. 1001. PERRY NOTE: He went to the Rose Garden event where president Bush just named his drug czar today (5/10). He leans to the treatment and recover side of the drug war. Bush was thought to be on the interdiction and criminalization of users side, and in fact named a drug czar, John Walters at the event that also leans that way. Moyers went through his own alcohol recovery. He says he was totally surprised they invited him. He was one of 2 Minnesotans there. He says he expected the assembly to be decidedly interdiction oriented. But he was surprised by what happened. He says there were plenty of advocates for rehab and recover there, besides himself. He says the president himself talked about the need to reduce demand, and Walters did the same. Moyers went up to Bush after the event and told him who he was and that he is a recovering alcoholic. He says Bush looked him right in the eye and said that the two of them had something in common. Moyers says that the event, and that exchange really changed his view of the administration, and how they may approach the drug problem. He says the jury is still out. The administration has sent mixed signals. Ashcroft is pro-interdiction and criminalization. Defense secretary is NOT keen on using the military to interdict drugs (according to Moyers). Moyers hopes that Bush himself will talk about his own story (Bush's), and that Bush is in a position to de-politicize the drug war a bit. (sort of a nixon goes to china thing, that bush would seem to be the typical Republican who's tough on crime and very pro-interdiction and criminalization, and therefore can be more inclined to promote treatment and demand reduction). here's some wire copy of Bush's announcment yesterda
May 11, 2001 - Negotiating teams for the Minnesota Nurses Association and 13 Twin Cities Hospitals begin discussing the financial terms for a new nurses contract today . The contracts for nearly 9,000 nurses expires on May 31st and the nurses union says its members want better working conditions, higher pay and a better system to attract younger people into the field. Yesterday, the union held an informational picket outside of one of the hospitals to draw attention to their cause. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
May 11, 2001 -
May 11, 2001 - The Minnesota House has voted 89-to-43 for a six-point-three billion dollar health and human services funding bill that includes a 24-hour abortion waiting period. Governor Jesse Ventura says he'll veto the entire bill if it arrives on his desk with the abortion provision. His veto would cut off state funding for programs ranging from nursing homes to welfare on July 1. Supporters of the waiting period say Ventura should reconsider his threat. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
May 14, 2001 - 13 Twin Cities Hospitals and the Minnesota Nurses Association will continue negotiating the financial portion of a new contract today (MONDAY). The contracts for 9,000 nurses in the Twin Cities expire on May 31st. Throughout contract talks, the union has been asking for higher pay, but says more nurses and better care are their top priorities. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 14, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on the stalemate over an abortion waiting period that continues at the Capitol. A massive health and human services spending bill that contains the controversial provision is languishing on Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum's desk, delaying an almost-certain gubernatorial veto. Both sides in the abortion debate are accusing each other of playing politics.
May 15, 2001 - The Minnesota Nurses Association and 13 Twin Cities Hospitals ended negotiations last night on a proposed contract the nurse's union says is unacceptable. After negotiating for 14 hours yesterday, the hospitals came forward with their final contract proposal which one hospital spokesperson called "unprecendented." The union says the raise isn't adequate and will recommend that its members reject the proposal when the union votes on Thursday. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 15, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura has vetoed a sweeping health and human services bill because it contained an abortion waiting period. Meanwhile, the DFL-controlled Senate narrowly rejected the waiting period while working up a backup health and human services package.