July 19, 1997 -
July 17, 1997 - capitol Members of a Senate K-12 Budget commitee heard testimony today from school officials representing flood-stricken communities who said their school must be re-built soon if students are to succeed. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: In small and medium sized communities...civic life revolves around the schools. And for communities like, ADA, the loss of a school building because of the Spring flooding and subsequent storms...the loss is about MUCh more than simply a BUILDING. School Superintendent Don Vallenga told committee members, the estimated cost of a new school is about 11-million dollars. The FEDS will pay about nin-million of it, but he's asking the state for the rest Vallenga says loca
July 9, 1997 - Minnesota Senate Republicans have a new minority leader. He is Dick Day, of Owatonna. Day replaces Dean Johnson of Willmar who resigned last week after four years of leadership. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports from the Capitol.
July 3, 1997 - Aitkin Democratic U.S.Senator Paul Wellstone finished the two-day Minnesota leg of his nationwide poverty tour. Earlier this week, he toured poverty stricken neighborhoods of south Minneapolis and then it was off to Aitkin County, where Wellstone says poverty might be more HIDDEN but is no less severe. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe travelled with Wellstone, and has this report. In Minnesota, those who live their lives on the social and economic edge can sometimes escape the gaze of community leaders, elected officials...and even neighbors. The invisibility of rural poverty is perhaps partly due to the fact that when SOME think of poverty...the mind's eye is averted to the depression era imagery captured by photographer, dorthea lange. The gaunt faces that haunt her black and white stills are what we of
July 1, 1997 - (Minneapolis) Senator Paul Wellstone is continuing his nationwide poverty tour in Minnesota this week. Today (Tuesday) he toured poverty-stricken urban neighborhoods of Minneapolis. Tomorrow (Wednesday) he visits Aitkin County; one of the state's poorest districts. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe is travelling with Wellstone during this leg of his tour, and has this report: Wellstone met with at-risk teens enrolled in the American Indian Center's Golden Eagles Program in South Minneapolis. It's an afterschool leadership club geared at Native American youth. There, he heard stories about what it's like growing up in neighborhoods where affordable housing is scarce, livable wage jobs scarcer but gunfire easy to come by. Lisa Sheftee is 14-years old: BITE: "once there was a shooting...and whatever." 11-secs (grn cut one)
June 27, 1997 - The Minnesota Legislature passed a K-12 education funding as worked out in advance by the governor and legislative leaders. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports that the one-day special session was swift and amiable.
June 26, 1997 - Governor Carlson and legislative leaders announced a breakthrough in their talks over K-12 education funding, the subject of today's Special Session. Last night's announcement ended a stalemate that's lasted for over one-month, since the legislature passed a bill under the shadow of a veto. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
June 25, 1997 - Governor Carlson has called state lawmakers into special session tomorrow. A K-12 education funding bill is the motive for the session, but some other bills, such as lowering the legal blood alcohol for drunk driving and raising wages for some state officials, are likely to come up. As Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports the special session seems like deja vu.
June 23, 1997 - Governor Carlson and DFL-Legislative leaders met today to discuss a K-12 education funding bill. The governor vetoed a funding bill at the end of the session because it did not contain $150-million in tax credits and deductions that parents could apply toward private and religious school tuition. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports the new DFL proposal contains four key components, including raising the state's minimum wage.
June 12, 1997 - Governor Carlson has gained the support of some black and Latino leaders for his education tax credit and deduction program. In a joint news conference, representatives from the Council on Black Minnesotans, and the Chicano Latino Affairs Council along with other community leaders..spoke in favor of the governor's plan. But as MPR's Karen-Louise Boothe reports support isn't unanimous among all minorities.