January 12, 1999 - The Republican tax rebate bill starts its journey through the Legislature today in the House and Senate Tax committees. The promise of a big rebate helped the Republicans take the majority in the House last fall, and they're trying to make sure they "own" the issue now that the legislative session has begun.
January 12, 1999 - A conflict of interest allegation against a state Senator today focused on taped phone conversations. A Senate ethics panel is looking into whether a consulting fee the University of Minnesota paid DFL Senator Dallas Sams of Staples amounted to a "kickback".
January 12, 1999 - Many Minnesotans may not notice much of a difference in the size of their rebate checks no matter how the Legislature and Governor decide to return the budget surplus. But hundreds of dollars is at stake for thousands of other Minnesotans.
January 13, 1999 - Governor Ventura filled three of the most important and visible jobs in his administration today. The commissioners of the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Children, Families & Learning.
January 13, 1999 - A Senate committee today approved a repeal of Minnesota's contentious ban on snowmobile studs. Angry snowmobilers warn of more accidents and lost tourism dollars if they can't use the carbide-tipped studs, while trail users argue studs will hack up the state's paved trails.
January 13, 1999 - Tax rebates, tax cuts, tax credits. How in the world will Minnesota lawmakers have time to hear anything else this session? Well, they will hear a myriad of other proposals - including a bill to shut down for one month the Twin Cities freeway ramp meters. The ramp meters are those devices which during rush hours control the lives of legions of motorists.
January 13, 1999 - A national higher education faculty study released this week is calling for a redefinition of tenure and adding more accountability to sabbaticals. The yearlong study, conducted by a coalition of Washington-based higher education associations, was designed, in part, to address growing public concern about the efficiency, effectiveness and affordability of public higher education.
January 14, 1999 - Governor Ventura today proposed a sales tax rebate plan which he says will get more money to the middle class than the House Republicans' income tax rebates would. Republicans say they'll keep an open mind, but they don't like the limits Ventura is putting on the size of rebates for wealthy Minnesotans.
January 14, 1999 - The state chair of the Minnesota DFL is calling for a major party overhaul, in the wake of November election losses. Dick Senese's plan would streamline the caucus system, gut the party endorsement, and even change the party's name. Some party activists are already raising objections over the proposal.
January 14, 1999 - State legislators have begun discussing ways to lower class sizes in Minnesota schools. Governor Ventura says class-size reduction is among his top priorities. He's convinced it can help students learn. But some researchers question the impact of class sizes on learning, and the Governor's goal could be more than the state can afford.