May 13, 1997 - The Minnesota House has passed a bill changing DWI rules in the state. The bill lowers the legal threshold for drunkenness. The House measure is stricter than a bill passed by the Senate last month. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
May 13, 1997 - With a threat of a Governor's veto, both houses of the Minnesota Legislature have passed a bill increasing the state's minimum wage. A bill passed the House last week differs at the bottom-line with the measure which passed in the Senate today. But Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports conferees are expected to quickly iron out their differences: The Senate bill increases the state wage to the federal level, from 4.25 and hour to 5.15 an hour. The house version, increases it above the federal level, to 5.40 and hour. Conferees are expected to go with the lower of the two.
May 8, 1997 - This week, Govenor Carlson signed into law, a 21-million dollar flood relief bill for the state. It's in ADDITION to three-million set aside by lawmakers this past winter when severe storms stretched local government dollars for such things as snow removal. But as the legislative session winds down, many agree this funding will only provide IMMEDIATE state relief...and lawmakers expect to reconvene to appropriate additional money. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 1114 | TIME: 4:00 | OUTCUE: "...soc." --------------------------------------------------------- The Governor has hinted at the probability of a special session later this year. Once officials know the total cost of the recovery, a session COULD be called for either late July or early August. The Bill Carlson sig
May 6, 1997 - The Minnesota Senate has approved a PERMANENT gas tax increase of four cents, along with an additional PENNY tax for ONE year to help pay for repairs to roads and bridges damaged in Spring floods. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: The vote was close...34-to-31...and debate often broke down along urban-rural lines. It's a split that OFTEN surfaces over debates concerning transportation dollars, and was most evident during an exchange between DFL Senator Jane Ranum of Minneapolis, and Minority Leader Dean Johnson of Willmar: BITE: 22-secs Metropolitan legislators want the formula for divvying up
April 30, 1997 - Governor Carlson met today, with heads of state agencies, involved with the newly formed Flood Disaster Task Force. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: The task force signals a shift from emergency services and rescue efforts...to long term planning and policy for the recovery. The Governor told task force members , they must help the state begin to EMOTIONALLY prepare for the re-building of their communities because flood victims are beginning to ask the most fundamental questions as they return home: BITE: (blue one) Carlson says one of the more immediate pieces to the puzzle, is the HOU
April 29, 1997 - Sweeping welfare reform has passed both houses of the Minnesota legislature and travels to the Governor's desk for a quick signature. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
April 29, 1997 - MPR’s Karen-Louise Boothe reports on members of the Minnesota House debating for more than two hours the merits DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), a measure banning same-sex marriage. The roll call vote was preceeded by more than two hours of sometimes very personal and emotional testimony. In the end, representatives voted overwhelmingly to keep it as amended to the omnibus health and human services bill.
April 22, 1997 - State and local public health officials are offering reassurances about potential infectious disease risks to residents of flood-stricken areas. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: Many residents of flood stricken regions are worried they're being exposed to infectious disease in the flood...but state health department spokesman, Buddy Ferguson says their fears are unfounded. BITE: He says in this bite, often people think that in the case of fires and floods,then surely pestilence must follow...however...that is NOT the case! Ferguson says skin contact with flood water will not lead to to giardia or hepatitus A...two health hazards linked to contaminated water.
April 16, 1997 - Minnesota anglers won't be paying any more for a fishing license. Senators killed a proposed three dollar increase today when they took up the Omnibus Environmental bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
April 15, 1997 - Governor Carlson has requested federal disaster relief for 26 ADDITIONAL minnesota counties....he signed a federal declaration adding 26 counties to the list of 21, ALREADY declared disaster areas. Minnesota Public radio's Karen-Louise Boothe: The Governor was joined in his reception room by various state and federal flood disaster officials...he signed the declaration with FEMA Region Five Director Michelle Burkett, who said that by declaring additional counties disaster areas, more people will be eligible for federal assistance.Burkett says some 2-thousand applications for help have come in...and already, money is on the way: BITE: