March 21, 2002 - Some Minnesota lawmakers are making tough decisions about their political futures, after a new redistricing plan was released earlier this week. The court-drawn maps redesign congressional and legislative boundaries based on population information in the 2000 census. Under the new plan, 52 incumbents are pitted against one another in this fall's elections-- forcing them to decide whether to take on another seated lawmaker. DFL representatives Alice Hausman from St. Paul and Mary Jo McGuire from Falcon Heights are now in the same district. They both join us on the line now. That's DFL representative Alice Hausman from St. Paul. We also spoke with Representative Mary Jo McGuire from Falcon Heights.
March 20, 2002 - Travelers with the right computer equipment will be flying in more ways than one when they go to the Twin Cities International Airport starting today. The airport is unveiling a new high-speed wireless connection to the internet that's up to 100 times as fast as regular modem speeds. Joining us on the line is Brian Peters, Assistant Manager for Airline Affairs with the Metropolitan Airports Commission. Thats Brian Peters, Assistant Manager for Airline Affairs with the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
March 20, 2002 - Minnesota lawmakers are getting acquainted with the state's new political landscape. A court plan released yesterday adjusts congressional and legislative districts based on population changes in the 2000 census. The new maps shift power away from out-state Minnesota to Twin Cities suburbs. Joining us on the line now is John Sundvor, a lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities. That's John Sundvor, a lobbyist for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
March 20, 2002 - Hennepin County is facing a shortage of election judges. The volunteer judges oversee the voting process at each polling location by registering voters and collecting ballots. Hennepin County officials say they'd like to recruit about 2-thousand more judges to serve in this fall's elections. Pat O'Connor is the Hennepin County Auditor. He's on the line now. That's Hennepin County Auditor Pat O'Connor. The number to call...
March 19, 2002 - For the latest on what's happening at the Capitol, go to the Session 2002 page on our web site, MinnesotaPublicRadio.org. Minnesota will get a new political map this afternoon. A five-judge panel will release new congressional and legislative district boundaries. The boundaries will reflect changes in population in the 2000 census, and could have a significant effect on this fall's elections. The panel of judges is determining the boundaries because Democratic, Republican, and Independence Party officials could not agree on a plan. We spoke with Mike Erlandson, who is the chair of the Minnesota DFL party, and Bill Walsh who oversees redistricting for the state Republican party. Walsh says he's hoping for a long-overdue correction in the district boundaries.
March 19, 2002 - Governor Jesse Ventura is coming back from Germany later today. His trip was intended to promote tourism in Minnesota and to build relationships that could result in more trade. On his trip, he made several speeches, and he met with the U.S. Ambassador to Germany, and with a number of business groups. Joining us on the line is Anneliese (ANN-uh-leese) Sullivan, president of the American German Business Club in Berlin. That's Anneliese (ANN-uh-leese) Sullivan, president of the American German Business Club in Berlin.
March 19, 2002 - Longtime DFL State Senator Doug Johnson is retiring after more than 30 years in the legislaure. Johnson made his announcement yesterday, one day before a court-appointed panel was to issue a redistricting plan. Johnson is one of the state's most powerful lawmakers, having chaired the Senate Tax Committee for 21 years and more recently headed the Senate Finance Committee. Political observer Wy Spano has been watching Senator Johnson for many of those years. Spano is the Editor of Politics in Minnesota, and he's on the line now. That's Wy Spano, the co-editor of "Politics in Minnesota." For more information on Doug Johnson's retirement go to our web site, MinnesotaPublicRadio.org. That's also the place to look for the details of the redistricting plan when it comes out at 1:00 today.
March 18, 2002 - Minnesota lawmakers are preparing for a busy week at the capitol. They have yet to agree on a bonding bill, phase two of balancing the budget, or a stadium bill. Legislative leaders say they hope to finish their work and adjourn by Easter. Joining us now is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.
March 14, 2002 -
March 14, 2002 - That's Dr. Jack Lake, Director of the Liver Transplant Program at Fairview-University Medical Center.