December 22, 2004 - Governor Pawlenty today (WED) proposed a ten-year, seven-billion dollar transportation package. He says it will accelerate dozens of road and transit projects across the state. The plan wouldn't begin until 2007, and relies heavily on borrowed money. DFL leaders called it a credit card financing scheme. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 15, 2004 - Some DFL state officials are proposing that the state offer health care benefits and no-interest loans to Minnesota National Guard members and reservists. They say the high number of overseas deployments is placing a tremendous burden on families. Governor Pawlenty has already proposed a package of military benefits, and the issue is likely to receive widespread support at the Capitol. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 3, 2004 - Governor Pawlenty today (FRI) proposed a series of initiatives to help military members and veterans. He says the 18-million dollar package is a top priority, even as the state faces a projected 700-million dollar budget deficit. Some National Guard members and their families say the governor's proposed benefits would be a major incentive for military members. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
November 16, 2004 - Minnesotans from across the political spectrum are remembering the man described as "Minnesota's leading citizen". Former governor Elmer L. Andersen died yesterday at the age of 95. He served as governor for only two years in the 1960s and was also a successful businessman with a lifetime of civic involvement. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
September 2, 2004 - Governor Tim Pawlenty appears to be testing the national waters while in New York for the Republican National Convention. Pawlenty spoke to an influential fundraising group whose president says Pawlenty should be on a national ticket in 2008 or 2012. Pawlenty says he's not thinking about a national run - he's simply trying to tell Minnesota's story. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
May 21, 2004 - MPR’s Laura McCallum profiles Cy Thao, a legislator and artist, who has an exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. "The Hmong Migration" is a series of fifty oil paintings by Thao, and represent the unfolding of 5,000 years of Hmong history. Thao said he feels an obligation to tell the Hmong story, and to preserve it for generations.
May 14, 2004 - Midday continues to broadcast live from the State Capitol. Host Gary Eichten and MPR's political editor Mike Mulcahy talk with key lawmakers at the MPR broadcast table. Guests include Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar; Governor Pawlenty's chief of staff, Dan McElroy; Senator Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul; Representative Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud; Representative Doug Stang, R-Cold Spring; and Senator Stevey Kelley, DFL-Hopkins.
April 5, 2004 - Republican women who hold statewide office and serve in the Legislature today (MONDAY) urged Senate Democrats to confirm two of Governor Pawlenty's commissioners. They say Senate DFLers are playing politics with the confirmations of Lieutenant Governor and Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau, and Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke. They also questioned whether gender is a factor. Senate DFL leaders say the issue isn't gender, but rather the Pawlenty administration's policies. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
March 25, 2004 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that the Minnesota State House passed a measure by 88-44 that would put a constitutional amendment question on the ballot in November 2004. It goes next to a Senate committee for vote, where it may be defeated.
March 16, 2004 - The state DFL party started running a television ad today (TUESDAY) accusing Governor Pawlenty of standing by while his administration released sex offenders. The hard-hitting ad is unusual, because Governor Pawlenty isn't up for re-election for another two-and-a-half years. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum looks at the ad and its claims...