June 6, 2002 - MPR presents a series of reports "Reading, Writing and Revenue," which looks at Minnesota schools' funding crunch. MPR’s Tom Robertson profiles the Bemidji school district as it struggles with enrollment and public support.
June 3, 2002 - MPR presents a series of reports "Reading, Writing and Revenue," which looks at Minnesota schools' funding crunch. MPR’s Tim Pugmire provides a summary report on the political and educational debate.
May 9, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports that Governor Ventura re-entered budget negotiations as the legislative session heads into its final stages. Ventura called legislative leaders to his office to tell them what he expected in the proposed budget balancing plan, transportation financing package and bonding bill.
May 8, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura and his staff are preparing for the worst. If the government doesn't figure out a budget, then he will do it himself and call the legislature into a special session. He can also call a special session in September, during election months, which some see as a way to make the candidates look bad.
May 3, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports that Governor Ventura has promised to veto a bill targeting his outside income. The bill would require all members on the state board of investment to disclose any money earned outside of office. The governor also threatened to file a lawsuit if lawmakers override his veto and the bill become law.
May 2, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on Minnesota House bill passage that would require disclosure by the governor and the state's other top elected officials on all money that comes from non-state employment. The bill is not aimed at Ventura, but some think it could be due to his employment with the XFL, his two books, and his role in a movie during his governorship.
April 30, 2002 - Governor Ventura says he would not oppose legislation that would require all state politicians to disclose their outside income, but he says lawmakers are unfairly singling him out. The Legislature is preparing to take up a bill that would require members on the State Board of investment to disclose their income. Ventura is a member of the board, along with Minnesota's other constitutional officers.
April 30, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on Mike Hatch and others view that Governor Ventura cannot close the mansion even if the legislature will not give him enough money. If Ventura does not live in it, then staff needs to be hired to live there in order to prevent vandalism and to keep it clean.
April 24, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura says he does not want to close the governor's mansion on Summit Avenue. He had considered closing the mansion since he has chosen not to move in there and the costs to keep it open were problematic due to legislative budget cuts.
April 17, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that budget negotiations proceeded at a snail's pace at the State Capitol. A co-chairman in a joint House-Senate budget balancing conference committee says he sees little need to meet until legislative leadership agrees to spending targets for conference committees. About the only sign of movement came on transportation funding as House Republicans made their first indication they would be open to a gas tax increase.