December 2, 1999 -
December 2, 1999 -
December 2, 1999 - The Ventura Administration will announce the new state revenue forecast later this morning, and most state politicians are expecting news of yet another budget surplus. Some legislative leaders are predicting the state may be on course to collect a BILLION dollars more than it budgeted over the next year and a half -- and they're already scrambling to determine what to do with that extra money.
December 2, 1999 - For the fifteenth consecutive time in seven years, state officials have projected a surplus for the state budget. The nearly one-point-six billion dollar surplus stunned legislative leaders, who are calling for tax cuts AND more spending. But Governor Ventura and budget experts are urging a cautious approach.
December 2, 1999 - Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Minnesota commerce department went to court today in their their dispute over how the insurance company should spend its tobacco proceeds. Part of the fight is whether Blue Cross should return some of the money to its subscribers.
December 3, 1999 - One day after announcing another whopping budget surplus Governor Ventura is rejecting claims Minnesotans are overtaxed. As lawmakers...especially House Republicans...call for an immediate permanent tax cut, Ventura says he wants to take a more deliberate approach. And at least an unscientific sampling of public opinion shows many people would rather the state spend some of the money than give it all back to taxpayers.
December 3, 1999 - About 100 leaders from business, education and government met in Minneapolis yesterday to assess Minnesota's position as a center for high technology and innovation. Most participants said the state is either falling behind or playing catchup. The conference was sponsored by the Minnesota Public Radio Civic Journalism Initiative. Bill Catlin has the final report of our series, Minnesota in the Dot Com Age.
December 3, 1999 - Members of the Mendota Mdwakanton Dakota are making a last ditch effort to save four big oak trees they believe are sacred. The four oaks stand directly in the path of the reroute of Highway 55 in south Minneapolis . The members of the tribe met late yesterday with Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg.
December 6, 1999 - The Immigration and Naturalization Service has issued an order of deportation to a Minneapolis business-owner who pioneered neighborhood revitalization efforts on Minneapolis ' East Lake Street. Because of her work there, community organizers, church leaders and business owners are asking the Immigration Board to reverse its decision. If the deportation order is not rescinded, she and her family have to leave the country by December 7th, or face arrest.
December 6, 1999 - Its been five months since the first wave of Kosovar refugees arrived in the US Many ended up in the Red Valley spread arond the Fargo Moorhead area. Now with a somewhat rockey peace established in their homeland the refugees have the opportunity to return. However as Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports, most want to stay.