January 6, 2003 - Republican Tim Pawlenty took over as Minnesota's governor today at a noontime swearing-in ceremony in downtown St. Paul. He is the 38th person to hold the office. Pawlenty must find a way to eliminate a four and a half billion dollar budget shortfall over the next two and a half years while adhering to a campaign promise not to raise taxes. And he didn't shy away from the issue in his speech:
January 7, 2003 - Congress convened today (Tues) with a long list of newly elected lawmakers, including two freshman from Minnesota. Republican Norm Coleman officially took his place in the Senate, succeeding Democrat Paul Wellstone. Another Minnesota Republican, John Kline, was sworn into the House of Representatives, replacing Democrat Bill Luther. Coleman and Kline join a Congress set to immediately begin work toward rebuilding the nation's economy amid growing international tension and what appears to be the increasingly likelihood of war with Iraq. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
January 9, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty assured a group of business leaders last night that he won't raise taxes to fix the state's four and a half billion dollar deficit. Speaking at a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce dinner, Pawlenty said business owners can't afford another tax increase. He said it's important for lawmakers to hold the line on taxes, lower the cost of health care and introduce tort reform. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports
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January 30, 2003 - Job vacancies in Minnesota continued to decline in the last 3 months of last year. The number of job openings fell by almost one third from the end of 2001. Two years ago, before the recession, the survey found there were more jobs than people looking for work in Minnesota. Now there are twice as many job hunters as jobs. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
February 4, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty has appointed the CEO of the Mercy Hospital and Health Care Center in Moose Lake as his health commissioner. Pawlenty says Dianne Mandernach will lead the Health Department in safeguarding the public health, preparing the state for a possible bioterrorist attack and addressing the rising cost of health care. Mandernach says her experience at a rural medical center will help her address the state's health care needs. Her appointment, however, comes with some controversy. Supporters of legalized abortion worry about Mandernach's opposition to abortion. They say she may support restrictions on the state's family planning grants. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
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February 10, 2003 - Minnesota health officials announced details today . Officials say it should take a few weeks to vaccinate about 27-hundred health workers who have volunteered. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.