January 13, 1999 - Governor Ventura filled three of the most important and visible jobs in his administration today. The commissioners of the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Children, Families & Learning.
January 12, 1999 - The Republican tax rebate bill starts its journey through the Legislature today in the House and Senate Tax committees. The promise of a big rebate helped the Republicans take the majority in the House last fall, and they're trying to make sure they "own" the issue now that the legislative session has begun.
January 12, 1999 - On MPR and Public Television last night, Governor Ventura declared the state should use SALES taxes as the guideline for returning the budget surplus to taxpayers. As Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, the Governor's comment has had an immediate effect at the state capitol.
January 8, 1999 - Tensions flared today between the Republican majority in the House and the DFL minority. DFLers say Republicans are changing procedural rules to their own advantage -- and they're even hinting Republican Speaker Steve Sviggum has abused his office on behalf of one of his caucus members. Republicans dismiss the DFL complaints as sour grapes.
January 7, 1999 - House Republicans have attached specific dollar amounts to the rebates they plan to send to state taxpayers. They and the Ventura Administration agree the state should return as much of the surplus as possible directly to taxpayers... but so far, neither side knows for sure how to keep FEDERAL tax collectors from taking a chunk out of those rebate checks.
January 4, 1999 - Minnesota's six new constitutional officers take office over the noon hour today -- and for the first time in the state's history, a national television audience will be watching the swearing-in ceremony. The focus of all the extra attention, of course, is Governor-elect Jesse Ventura. The colorful former pro wrestler is a natural media personality -- just as he was a natural campaigner last fall. What kind of governor will he make?
January 1, 1999 - Minnesota's new governor is a member of the Reform Party -- a political movement whose primary mission is improving the machinery of government. High on the party's "to do" list are Campaign finance reform and a leaner Legislature. But even with Jesse Ventura in the governor's office, voters should not expect a flurry of structural reforms right away.
December 31, 1998 - The sweepstakes for “Biggest Minnesota News Story” of 1998’ is no contest. Jesse Ventura's upset victory in the race for Governor was such a shock, his success caught almost everybody by surprise…the media, the political parties, and especially his opponents. MPR's Martin Kaste looks back on Ventura's rise.
December 30, 1998 - MPR’s Martin Kaste reports on that Governor-elect Jesse Ventura spoke to reporters about his agenda for the 1999 legislative session, which begins next week. But Ventura did NOT get very specific, and he stopped short of presenting a short list of his legislative goals.
December 29, 1998 - Honey, we can't afford to fix the car! Right now we need every penny to pay our taxes!..)) Jesse Ventura didn't make a lot of specific campaign promises on the election trail last fall... but he did get specific on the subject of tax relief, in radio ads like this one: