May 18, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that another day of budget negotiations passed at the Capitol with no deal. Legislative leaders have been meeting on and off with aides to Governor Ventura to try to break a logjam over major tax and spending issues. With less than four days left until Monday's adjournment deadline, a special session seems inevitable, and there's plenty of finger-pointing going on.
May 17, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that it's unrealistic to expect the House and Senate to be settled on big bill items by June 30th. Governor Ventura said that he is not going to bail them out by allowing for a special session.
May 15, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura has vetoed a sweeping health and human services bill because it contained an abortion waiting period. Meanwhile, the DFL-controlled Senate narrowly rejected the waiting period while working up a backup health and human services package.
May 8, 2001 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg reports on trade dominating Governor Jesse Ventura's agenda. Ventura met with a Chinese trade delegate and local businesspeople to push for closer economic ties between Minnesota and China. He also visited the Canadian Consulate where he announced an upcoming trade mission to Canada.
May 7, 2001 - The Minnesota Twins may be back at the State Capitol to jumpstart their push for a new stadium. Last month, the ballpark legislation was tabled in a House committee, leading many lawmakers to declare the proposal dead. But the unexpected strength of the team on the field may be turning public sentiment…and some legislators are taking notice.
April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Andrew Haeg reports that the CEOs of twenty companies from Finland are in the Twin Cities to meet with local business leaders, and to explore potential business opportunities. The group attended a two-day workshop at a local law firm where they listened to an address by Governor Ventura, who has often promoted foreign trade and investment to boost the state's economy.
April 17, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on Governor Jesse Ventura criticism of Senate Democrats for not passing a tax rebate bill this year, despite an April 15th deadline for taking action. Appearing on MPR's Midday program, Ventura said the failure to act means the Senate will have to accept his proposal, shared by the House, which returns the entire current year surplus. But Senate leaders say they plan to remain at the bargaining table.
April 13, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio's Dan Gunderson reports that Governor Jesse Ventura wrapped up his two-day flood tour in East Grand Forks. The governor says he's pleased with how the flood fight is going all across the state. The lower flood crests predicted at most locations on the Red, and the Minnesota rivers, are allowing many communities a break for the Easter weekend.
April 5, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura says he isn't giving up the fight for campaign finance reform this session. In the previous month, a key House subcommittee dealt Ventura's reform bill a major setback by laying the plan over until the next year. But new legislation has emerged with many of the same provisions and supporters say it's not too late for action.
April 5, 2001 - Governor Jesse Ventura told the Willmar Chamber of Commerce that he's committed to his plan of property and income tax cuts while expanding the state's sales tax to include services. The governor says he won't bargain with the Legislature, which hasn't been enthusiastic about his plan. He says if lawmakers don't follow his proposals, including on education, he'll be very difficult to deal with.