January 20, 1999 - The debate over how to spend Minnesota's six-point-one billion dollar tobacco settlement is heating up at the state Capitol. Legislative leaders are proposing that a chunk of the money be set aside for smoking prevention, and a coalition of consumer and health groups is calling for ALL of the money to be dedicated to health care.
January 20, 1999 - President Clinton pledged in his state of the union message to work with congress to build a farm safety net. It was a rare nod to farmers in the president's most important policy speech. Some Minnesota farmers say the presidents recognition of agricultural problems could be an important one.
January 21, 1999 - Governor Ventura named two more commissioners today. Sheryl Ramstad Hvass, a Minneapolis attorney and former Hennepin County judge will be the new head the Corrections department. Hvass lost a tight race for Hennepin County attorney in November. Michael O'Keefe will become the new commissioner of Human Services. O'Keefe had recently announced plans to step down from his position as chief executive of the McKnight Foundation. Through his foundation work, O'Keefe worked hard on welfare reform, something he'll now head up for the state.
January 21, 1999 - Five companies are vying for the right to develop one of the Twin Cities' largest and most controversial pieces of real estate. The land on Minneapolis ' near north side was the object of a housing discrimination case. A $117 million out of court settlement included demolishing two public housing projects and redevelopment of the land. But a major component of the case - replacing the public housing that was demolished - is behind schedule.
January 21, 1999 - Criticism is mounting over the new Camp Ripley Adult Work Program. The legislature created the program last year as a low-cost alterative to jailing low-level male offenders. Many county officials and judges complain the program is a carbon-copy of their LOCAL corrections programs. And they're upset the state is mandating they participate in and pay for sending prisoners to Camp Ripley.
January 22, 1999 - The Mayor of East Grand Forks Minnesota is proposing his city change its name. Lynn Stauss says his city is always confused with its larger neighbor to the west, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Stauss says the confusion became a real problem during the disastrous floods of 1997.
January 22, 1999 - The Minnesota House has voted to allow snowmobiles with studs back on public lands and rights-of-way. The vote is a victory for snowmobile groups, which complained that a ban on snowmobile studs passed last year has made the sport more dangerous and has hurt tourism. But some Democrats say the House is giving in to the snowmobile groups too quickly.
January 22, 1999 - A House committee today approved legislation banning lawmakers from lobbying at the state capitol immediately after they leave office. The so-called "revolving door" bill is the pet project of the new Republican Speaker, Steve Sviggum, who says it will help "clean up" life at the capitol. But the bill's critics say the it attempts to fix a problem that doesn't exist.
January 22, 1999 - Many consumers recognize their homeowner and auto insurance premiums are based on risk; if you've totaled 10 cars in the past 10 years you can expect to pay higher auto insurance rates. But insurance companies are using another tool to set rates and in some cases, deny coverage: your credit rating. Attorney General Mike Hatch wants the practice stopped and will propose legislation later today prohibiting insurance companies from using credit information.
January 22, 1999 - The amount of electricity produced by wind power will continue to grow in Minnesota under a decision yesterday by the state Public Utilities Commission. The PUC ordered Northern States Power to double its wind capability as the utility searches for the additional power it will need to meet growing demand.