May 13, 2013 - MPR’s Tim Pugmire reports on the Minnesota Senate passage of bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the state by a vote of 37-30, after more than four hours of debate. Only one Republican joined Democrats on the prevailing side, and three DFLers opposed the bill.
December 10, 2012 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on healthcare controversy surrounding Steve Gottwalt, a Republican state representative; and David Hann, a Republican state senator. Gottwalt, who steered legislation through the House to drop people from the state-run MinnesotaCare program, is an independent contractor for an insurance brokerage firm that lobbied for the change.
September 27, 2007 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on problems and criticisms with the Minnesota Department of Health, including efforts to conceal funding shortfalls, delay reports, and scrubbing web sites.
April 4, 2006 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that a committee in the Minnesota Senate has rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage and its legal equivalents in Minnesota.
October 13, 2005 - As part of the series “Polluted Waters - Costly Cleanup,” MPR’s Dan Olson reports on the Whitewater River and concerns of pollution contamination, resulting in damage to its ecosystem.
February 22, 2005 - MPR’s Mike Edgerly and Sasha Aslanian present an American RadioWorks documentary, titled “Toxic Traces.” The documentary raises questions about who is responsible for the safety of the public and the environment, and about whether state agencies are doing enough to protect citizens from toxic chemicals.
March 26, 2004 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on a committee vote in the DFL Senate defeating proposed amendment that would ban gay marriage. That measure would allow the voters to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should ban same sex marriage and any legal equivalent. The committee did approve a proposed constitutional amendment that would prevent the courts from forcing the Legislature to define gay marriage, as the Massachusetts Supreme Court has done.
April 25, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that the Minnesota Senate passed a bill that would require students to recite the pledge of allegiance in school at least once a week. Supporters say the bill would help teach patriotism to children, but opponents say the state shouldn't force students to recite the pledge.
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.
January 9, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that supporters of campaign finance reform say the 2001 session may be the best chance in years to pass significant changes. Governor Jesse Ventura and leaders in both parties say they want to reduce the amount of money flowing into politics.