December 19, 2003 - State education officials released the final draft of proposed social studies and science standards. The standards spell out what Minnesota students will be taught about history, geography, government, economics and science. The first draft was heavily criticized as too long, too Eurocentric and too fact-heavy. Education commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke says the new versions address the critics' concerns, but some still have reservations. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
December 16, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty's Bioscience Council is recommending that the state invest more than $234-million dollars in Minnesota's biotech industry. The group finalized the proposals it wants Pawlenty to present to the Legislature in February. The package also calls for guaranteeing up to 200-million dollars in venture capital investments. Backers admit parts of the plan will be a tough sell at the Capitol. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 12, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty says the blizzard of criticism he's receiving about changes to state snowplowing policy is misguided. On his weekly radio show today (Fri), Pawlenty defended MnDOT's plowing after this week's heavy snowstorm. MnDOT officials say they've made some changes in the snowplow schedule to save money on overtime pay, but the agency's snowplowing goals haven't changed. Some DFL lawmakers say commuters are angry, and the issue is a political problem for the governor. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 11, 2003 - House Democrats are blaming Republican budget cuts for double-digit property tax increases facing many communities. They say many homeowners will see significant increases next year, while homeowners in suburbs that tend to vote Republican will see little or no increase. Officials with the Pawlenty administration say they didn't target certain areas for budget cuts, and some of the property tax increases stem from other factors. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 9, 2003 - The 2004 presidential election is still eleven months away, but the presidential campaign is well underway in Minnesota. Three Democratic candidates recently kicked off their Minnesota campaigns, and some are mobilizing Minnesotans to travel to Iowa in advance of next month's caucuses. Meantime, Republicans are working to sign up a record number of Minnesota volunteers for President George W. Bush's re-election campaign. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 3, 2003 - Minnesota finance officials release the state's latest economic forecast today (WEDNESDAY). The last forecast - released in February - showed a projected four-and-a-half billion dollar deficit, which the Legislature eliminated with spending cuts, one-time money and accounting shifts. Governor Pawlenty and legislative leaders say they don't expect today's forecast to show a dramatic upturn or downturn. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 3, 2003 - A new state economic forecast released today (WEDNESDAY) shows the state has not completely resolved its budget problem. The forecast projects a relatively modest deficit of 185-million dollars in the current two-year budget cycle. The last Legislature tackled a much larger four-and-a-half billion dollar shortfall. Republican leaders say the deficit is manageable with current resources, but some groups are already calling for tax increases. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
December 1, 2003 - The Minnesota Health Department has been posting information about abortion on its website for two months now. The information was required by the so-called Women's Right to Know law passed by the 2003 Legislature. Some doctors and abortion providers say the materials are unnecessary, and in some cases offensive. Supporters say the law will ensure that women have consistent information on pregnancy and abortion. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
November 25, 2003 - DFL lawmakers say the budget cuts made last session are creating life-threatening problems for some people enrolled in the state's subsidized insurance plan. The 2003 Legislature cut health benefits for about 20-thousand low-income adults without children. Democrats say the problem is particularly acute for diabetics. They say medical supplies such as glucose testing strips are no longer covered, which will result in more expensive emergency room visits for many diabetics. State officials say they made a choice between offering some benefits or no benefits to adults without children. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
November 20, 2003 - Two Republican state legislators said today (THURSDAY) they'll push a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Their announcement comes two days after the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that gay couples have the right to marry under that state's constitution. The Minnesota legislators say defining marriage in the state constitution would ensure that voters, not judges, decide the issue. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...