August 18, 1999 - The watchdog group Common Cause Minnesota today filed a complaint against Governor Jesse Ventura, alleging the Governor violated state conflict of interest laws by agreeing to guest referee a pay-per-view wrestling match. The law prohibits state employees from profiting from their positions. Some estimates say Ventura could make a million dollars in fees and royalties from the World Wrestling Federation event this weekend, which is raising eyebrows among many political leaders.
July 30, 1999 - Vice President Al Gore outlined his tax cut proposal during a speech in Minneapolis today. The Democratic presidential candidate is proposing a more modest tax cut than the Republican plan that passed the US Senate today, and Gore says he wants to target tax relief to the middle class.
July 29, 1999 - The legislative auditor says governors should reimburse the state when their private business dealings create extra costs for the state. The audit was prompted by Governor Ventura's book tour, which cost taxpayers sixteen-thousand dollars in travel costs for three State Patrol troopers and a communications staffer. A legislator who requested the audit says lawmakers will debate the matter next session.
July 27, 1999 - In his first seven months on the job, Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch is living up to his campaign rhetoric as an aggressive consumer advocate, taking on insurance companies, HMO's and banks. Some say Hatch's focus proves he's a fearless populist fighting for the voters....others say he's a reckless crusader driven by his own political ambitions.
July 26, 1999 - Republicans in the Minnesota House, who found themselves in the majority this year for the first time in over a decade, have formed a task force to search for ways to cut government spending. The group will scrutinize the state budget for inefficiencies, and examine how the state spends money. But budget experts say finding any significant savings is tougher than it sounds.
July 26, 1999 - Note host outcue Governor Jesse Ventura has dominated media coverage since he took office in January. But another state official elected last November has also gotten a fair number of headlines. Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch has spent his first seven months on the job publicly taking on banks, H-M-O's and insurance companies. But behind the scenes, Hatch has quietly restructured his agency, firing a number of long-time employees and trimming the size of the office. Hatch says every new administration makes changes, but some of those who have been forced out say he's created an atmosphere of fear in the office.
July 16, 1999 - Supporters of Kathleen Soliah are raising money on two fronts - to get her out of jail, and to pay her legal fees. Soliah - known in Minnesota as Sara Jane Olson - remains in a Los Angeles jail on charges of planting pipe bombs under police cars in the mid-70s. Contributions are pouring in, largely from people who've known her only as Sara Jane Olson.
July 9, 1999 - The St. Paul woman known as Sara Jane Olson acknowledged today she IS Kathleen Soliah, a former member of the radical Symbionese Liberation Army. Soliah will fly to California next week to face charges of planting pipe bombs under police cars in the mid-70s.
July 6, 1999 - Use this version Tuesday - no dated reference Searchers found two more bodies on the St. Croix River today, bringing the death total to five in one of the worst boating accidents in Minnesota history. Two powerboats collided over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, which historically has the most boating accidents of the year.
July 6, 1999 - Governor Ventura today signed extradition papers for the Saint Paul woman authorities believe is Kathleen Soliah, a former Symbionese Liberation Army member charged with conspiracy to murder police officers in California. Her attorney says he won't fight extradition, and his client hopes the matter will be resolved quickly in California.