May 8, 2007 - Jim Koppel, executive director of the Children's Defense Fund Minnesota, discusses 2007 Kids Count Data Book, an annual report that measures the health and well-being of children and their families. Minnesota saw the steepest increase in child poverty rates in the nation this year, up 63% from the year past. What is behind that troubling statistic?
January 10, 2002 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports that much of the reception to Ventura's deficit reduction plan is icy. Social program advocates and local government officials say Ventura is balancing the state budget at their expense. Tax opponents say Ventura's plans for higher gasoline, tobacco, and sales taxes hurt working Minnesotans.
July 15, 1998 - Jim Koppel, executive director of the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota, and Lynn Reed, research director for the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, discuss a new report on the effect of federal and state tax policies on families. Premise of study notes increase in taxes on families vs individuals, the causes, and potential solutions. Koppel and Reed also answer listener questions.