January 4, 1999 - Jesse Ventura is now the Governor of Minnesota. Ventura was sworn into office today in a traditional inaugural ceremony at the State Capitol, marked by the presence of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and several hundred enthusiastic Ventura supporters. Ventura promised to be honest with Minnesotans, and to try to keep young voters involved in politics.
January 4, 1999 - Governor-elect Jesse Ventura kicked off two weeks of inaugural activities over the weekend. On Saturday, he released a bald eagle at the Isaac Walton Reserve in Brooklyn Park, then had a potluck lunch with Twin Cities-area farmers, which organizers billed as "Ag 101". Ventura didn't spend much time campaigning on agricultural issues, but is trying to get up to speed quickly on farm policy.
December 31, 1998 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Minnesota lawmakers who've argued for less government regulation say 1999 could finally be the year they claim success. With a Republican-controlled House and a new Governor who campaigned on the issue, legislation cutting regulations may fare better than in previous sessions.
December 23, 1998 - It's a word that makes many lawmakers cringe, but talk of stadiums will be back before the legislature in 1999 session. A task force appointed by Governor Carlson is asking lawmakers to create a new commission to fund sports stadiums and arts venues. Legislative leaders and the Governor-elect are skeptical.
December 8, 1998 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that the first poll since the election gives Governor-elect Jesse Ventura high marks for his performance so far. Nearly half the people polled for Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press consider Ventura a needed breath of fresh air in state government, although the other half say it's too soon to judge.
December 7, 1998 - When the Minnesota legislature convenes in January, two suburban lawmakers will serve as House Majority and Minority Leaders. The bulk of the House committee chairs are also from the suburbs. As the suburbs grow, so does their political clout. But some worry their increasing power may come at the expense of rural communities and the cities. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Simply look at the numbers, and it's obvious why suburban legislators are growing in prominence - close to two-million people live in the suburbs of the seven-county metro. So both parties are scrambling to find ways to appeal to them, and two of the three House leaders live in their midst. Newly-elected Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty is from Eagan; Minority Leader Tom Pugh lives in South St. Paul.
December 4, 1998 - Note host outcue! The Minnesota D-F-L Party is asking Minnesotans what went wrong in last month's election, and how should the party change. The D-F-L holds a public hearing at the Capitol tomorrow (Saturday) to get ideas. The soul-searching comes in the wake of devastating election defeats - their gubernatorial candidate came in third, they lost control of the Minnesota House and not one endorsed candidate for statewide office won. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... HOST OUTCUE: The D-F-L party holds its public hearing tomorrow (Saturday) at noon at the State Office Building. Reform ideas are posted on the party's web site at www.dfl.org.
December 3, 1998 - Governor Arne Carlson released the final budget forecast of his administration today, and the state's economic picture is rosy. It shows a surplus of one-and-a-half billion dollars for the bienium ending in June. Republicans, D-F-L'ers and Governor-elect Jesse Ventura all support giving some of the surplus back to taxpayers, but the debate is over when to return the money. It's a political minefield for Ventura who swept into office on the strength of promises to cut taxes. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Governor Carlson was gleeful as he announced he's leaving the state in a much better financial condition than when he arrived in office. He says a combination of spending cuts, a healthy economy and the state's tobacco settlement have led to higher than expected revenues...
November 30, 1998 - Governor-elect Jesse Ventura told Minnesota farmers today his wife - who raises horses - will be a voice for agriculture. Ventura addressed the Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting, and although he was short on specifics, he got an enthusiastic response. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Ventura told farmers his wife Terry - who grew up in rural Minnesota and now breeds show horses on their 32-acre farm in Maple Grove - will be receptive to their concerns... ("She will probably be the best ear you have!" applause "Because one of her main focuses will be the farm industry as the firs
November 26, 1998 - Starting Monday, anyone planning to purchase a gun - whether it's a handgun, rifle or shotgun - must go through a criminal background check. The new provision of the Brady Law is designed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, drug addicts, illegal aliens, and the mentally ill. It's creating some confusion among gun buyers and some concern among gun dealers. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... The new National Instant Criminal Background Check works almost like a credit card verification - stores will call a toll-free number and give the gun buyer's name and date of birth while the buyer waits. The F-B-I does a computer background check and tells the store whether the sale is approved, delayed or denied. This SHOULD only take a minute or so, but some think t