September 4, 2006 - For the first time in nearly two decades, there is no big Labor Day picnic in St. Paul this year. Union organizers canceled the event because of a lack of funding and volunteers. But several unions were involved in another Twin Cities rally today. Hundreds of people marched for immigrant and workers rights. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
April 26, 2006 - It hasn't gotten as much attention as the stadium, but it's been a wild couple of weeks on the budget front in the Minnesota House. Republican leaders had planned to pass as many as nine budget bills to take care of various spending priorities. But to their dismay, those bills were accumulating initiatives that were picking up votes from Democrats and moderate Republicans. House leaders are trying to control a razor-thin Republican majority, which is getting tugged from both the right and the middle. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
April 12, 2006 - Some Minnesota lawmakers say they're hearing the message from thousands of people calling for immigration reform. An estimated 30-thousand people marched to the state Capitol last weekend to support immigration reform, and some lawmakers are pushing legislation to help undocumented workers in the state. Governor Pawlenty has called for cracking down on illegal immigration, and although his proposals are unlikely to get through the Legislature intact this session, he could get some political traction from the issue. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
April 10, 2006 - The House plans to take up the bonding bill Wednesday, before leaving for the Easter break. MPR's Laura McCallum reports.
March 9, 2006 - Governor Tim Pawlenty touted the accomplishments of his first term in his State of the State address today (Thursday). In what sounded like a test of possible themes for a reelection campaign, Pawlenty said he's completed the biggest financial turnaround in state history. The governor also said the state has regained its status as an education leader. He outlined a handful of new proposals, which Democrats dismissed as pilot programs and slogans. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
January 12, 2006 - Governor Tim Pawlenty today proposed ways to help legal immigrants, one week after he outlined steps to crack down on illegal immigration. The Republican governor's plan includes a new tax credit for immigrants seeking citizenship, and more money for English language instruction and immunizations. Some Latino leaders say the proposals are a good first step. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
January 4, 2006 - Immigration issues have moved to the forefront of political debate in recent weeks, thanks largely to Governor Pawlenty. It began last month when Pawlenty released what has become a controversial report on the costs associated with illegal immigration. And it continued yesterday when the governor outlined a series of proposals to identify and crack down on illegal immigration in Minnesota. Political observers say Pawlenty is tapping into an issue that concerns many Minnesotans, but he could alienate Latino voters in the process. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
November 14, 2005 -
November 10, 2005 - More than 200 people will leave for China tomorrow (FRI), as part of Governor Pawlenty's trade mission. Representatives of some of the state's premiere industries are going - medical devices... agriculture.... high technology.... and a bakery. A bakery? That's right, a Minneapolis bakery. Lynn Gordon from the French Meadow Bakery says she's considering expanding to Shanghai, and she's going on the trip to find out the best way to do it. But she also admits she's going for the experience. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum talked with Gordon and has this report.
October 4, 2005 - Today (TUES) was the deadline for legislative leaders to respond to Governor Pawlenty's menu of special session options, and none of the four leaders returned the list. But that doesn't mean a special session won't happen. Pawlenty invited the leaders to his office on Thursday, and is still willing to call a special session if leaders can agree on the agenda. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...