February 5, 1999 - The Minnesota House has approved a Republican-sponsored plan to send $1-point-5 Billion dollars worth of rebates to Minnesota taxpayers. The plan bases the rebates primarily on a person's income level -- an approach bitterly opposed by the Democrats.
February 4, 1999 - The Senate Tax Committee has approved a version of Governor Ventura's sales tax rebate plan -- setting the stage for a confrontation with the Republican-controlled House.
January 29, 1999 - Governor Ventura's budget has widened the rift between him and Republicans on the number-one issue of this legislative session: tax relief. Republicans say Ventura has reneged on his campaign promise to give the state's surplus money back to ALL the taxpayers, the Governor says he IS giving it back -- but he's also looking out for interests of middle-income Minnesotans.
January 29, 1999 - Governor Ventura says he's struck a good balance between tax relief and spending in his budget for 2000 and 2001. The Governor laid out his spending plan yesterday evening for legislators and the media.
January 28, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura today unveils his plan for spending the state's money over the next two years. Legislators and lobbyists have been eagerly awaiting this day, because Ventura's budget will give them a better sense of the new governor's priorities -- and his politics.
January 26, 1999 - Governor Ventura today named Ted Mondale to take over as chairman of the Metropolitan Council. The Council has a variety of Twin Cities-wide responsibilities... but Mondale and Ventura indicated MASS TRANSIT will be their number-one priority in the next few years.
January 22, 1999 - A House committee today approved legislation banning lawmakers from lobbying at the state capitol immediately after they leave office. The so-called "revolving door" bill is the pet project of the new Republican Speaker, Steve Sviggum, who says it will help "clean up" life at the capitol. But the bill's critics say the it attempts to fix a problem that doesn't exist.
January 22, 1999 - The Minnesota House has voted to allow snowmobiles with studs back on public lands and rights-of-way. The vote is a victory for snowmobile groups, which complained that a ban on snowmobile studs passed last year has made the sport more dangerous and has hurt tourism. But some Democrats say the House is giving in to the snowmobile groups too quickly.
January 19, 1999 - Minnesota's Commissioner of Natural Resources resigned today -- one week after Governor Ventura appointed him. Al Horner resigned after two DNR officials quit to protest what they regarded as his dismissive attitude toward the work of conservation officers.
January 14, 1999 - Governor Ventura today proposed a sales tax rebate plan which he says will get more money to the middle class than the House Republicans' income tax rebates would. Republicans say they'll keep an open mind, but they don't like the limits Ventura is putting on the size of rebates for wealthy Minnesotans.