March 24, 1997 - Legislation to have the state subsidize a new Minnesota Twins stadium made some progress at the Legislature, despite lawmakers' misgivings. MPR's Martin Kaste reports that the fate of the Twins Stadium bill had fallen into the hands of the members of the Senate Local and Metropolitan Government Committee…and they were none too happy about it.
March 20, 1997 - Minnesota eighth graders' mediocre performance on the state-wide math and reading tests caught people's attention at the state capitol yesterday (Wed). Lawmakers expressed disappointment in the scores, but they're already hard at work writing laws to require MORE state-wide standardized tests. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 2594 | TIME: 2:41 | OUTCUE: "...soc --------------------------------------------------------- The news media's side-by-side comparisons of school districts based on their performance on the grad rule tests is making some people at the state capitol squirm. It was the Legislature that originally mandated the state-wide tests... but now some DFLers wonder whether they've delivered ammunition to Governor Carlson for his attacks on teachers unions and the job they've don
February 20, 1997 - A group of female lawmakers say it's time all responsible adults had the right to carry concealed firearms. The lawmakers say concealed firearms are an inexpensive way to cut the rates of murder and other violent crimes in Minnesota but gun-control forces promise to fight any relaxation of concealed weapons rules every step of the way. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
February 19, 1997 - A panel of state lawmakers has recommended schools administrator Dave Metzen join the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents -- DESPITE allegations of sexism in the candidate selection process. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports: Allegations of male chauvinism stirred up the otherwise placid process of selecting new University Regents at the state capitol on Tuesday. Roseville Representative Mindy Greiling complained to the news media that lawmakers from the Ramsey County area had passed over Roseville school superintendent Carol Ericson for one of the vacancies on the Board of Regents -- even though Greiling says Ericson WAS CLEARLY the best candidate. The group of lawmakers instead endorsed another school superintendent, David Metzen of South St Paul. Women's political lobbying groups quickly picked up on Greiling's complaint... Judith Schotzko, president of the Minnesota W
February 13, 1997 - One day after a faculty unionization vote at the University of Minnesota professors are still taking stock of the results. The unionzation failed by a very small margin -- 692 votes to 666 -- but as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, pro-union professors aren't necessarily unhappy about the outcome.
February 12, 1997 - State lawmakers are considering a package of new regulations designed to make snowmobiles safer for riders and pedestrians. The legislation comes in response to the record-setting pace of snowmobiling deaths this winter: 26 so far, including two children who were on foot when they were run over. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
February 7, 1997 - The Minnesota House has given preliminary approval to legislation meant to curb teen smoking. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
February 5, 1997 - A Senate panel today approved money to provide emergency food for the state's snow-bound deer population despite objections from the Department of Natural Resources. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.
February 4, 1997 - Democrats in the state House of Representatives are still reeling from the Senate's surprise passage yesterday of mandatory standardized testing for all public schools. House DFLers wanted to take their time with the testing issue, but now they're feeling pressure to meet the Senate's challenge. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports from the Capitol: It's not just the timing of the Senate's action that's caught House DFLers off guard. They're also suprised by how close the Senate's plan is to what Governor ARne Carlson wants. The Senate legislation, introduced by DFL leader Roger Moe, would impose state-wide achievement tests for 3rd, 5th, 8th and 11th graders. The Governor likes the Senate legislation so much, he's offered to sign it immediately -- if and when the House goes
January 31, 1997 - Minneapolis state Representative Myron Orfield has introduced legislation to have voters in the 7 County Metro elect the members of the Met Council. As it stands now, the Governor appoints the Met Council, and Orfield says that's no way to select the people who have authority over suburban development, the metro bus system and even the International Airport. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin ("Olaf") Kaste reports: Myron Orfield has been campaigning for years to correct what he sees as the Met Council's original sin. When the Council was created in 1967, it was intended as a model of modern urban planning, the first of its kind in the nation. But the Legislature balked at making it an elected governmental body, and ever since, the Governor has appointed the Council. Orfield says it's time to make the Council more directly accountable to the vote