January 29, 1999 - Governor Ventura's budget has widened the rift between him and Republicans on the number-one issue of this legislative session: tax relief. Republicans say Ventura has reneged on his campaign promise to give the state's surplus money back to ALL the taxpayers, the Governor says he IS giving it back -- but he's also looking out for interests of middle-income Minnesotans.
January 29, 1999 - Governor Ventura says he's struck a good balance between tax relief and spending in his budget for 2000 and 2001. The Governor laid out his spending plan yesterday evening for legislators and the media.
January 29, 1999 - Also on Midmorning today, Governor Ventura talked more about his decision to apply for a concealed weapons permit. MPR's Kathryn Lanpher asked the governor why he feels he needs to carry a gun.
January 28, 1999 - One of Minnesota's largest industries is getting a boost from the new governor. Jesse Ventura's budget includes increasing the Office of Tourism's advertising budget by five MILLION dollars. The former wrestler and actor says Minnesota can exploit HIS entertainment background to make the state a worldwide vacation destination.
January 26, 1999 - Governor Ventura today named Ted Mondale to take over as chairman of the Metropolitan Council. The Council has a variety of Twin Cities-wide responsibilities... but Mondale and Ventura indicated MASS TRANSIT will be their number-one priority in the next few years.
January 19, 1999 - The House Tax Committee got its first chance to examine Governor Ventura's sales tax rebate today. Republicans - who would prefer an income tax rebate - are poking holes in the plan. DFL'ers on the committee like the idea.
January 19, 1999 - Minnesota's Commissioner of Natural Resources resigned today -- one week after Governor Ventura appointed him. Al Horner resigned after two DNR officials quit to protest what they regarded as his dismissive attitude toward the work of conservation officers.
January 18, 1999 - Governor Ventura and singer and actress Melba Moore were among the featured speakers today at the Martin Luther King holiday events in Saint Paul. The celebration began this morning with a rally at Central High School. Participants then marched down Marshall Avenue to a gathering at Concordia University.
January 18, 1999 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on Jesse Ventura’s lively inaugural bash as the 38th governor of Minnesota. Segment includes sounds and music clips from the event.
January 15, 1999 - Governor Ventura has outlined an education agenda that could add hundreds of millions of dollars to K-12 education. The Governor is also taking a new approach to his plan for lowering class sizes in the early grades.