June 16, 2003 -
June 13, 2003 - The state's current employee contracts expire at the end of this month -- and negotiations between Governor Tim Pawlenty's administration and state workers are just heating up. The discussions are taking place under a tight budget, ratified as part of a $4.3 billion deficit reduction package last month. State officials say it's no secret they have limited resources to put on the bargaining table -- but public employees say that doesn't mean they'll back down. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 30, 2003 - The 2003 special legislative session has gavelled to a close after the House and Senate completed work on $4.2 billion deficit reduction package. The last major budget item to pass was a tax bill that funds aids to local governments. The aid cuts proposed by Governor Tim Pawlenty and House Republicans, however, shook Senate DFLers and may have opened a rift in that caucus. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
May 29, 2003 - Legislative inaction has forced state lawmakers into at least one more day of budget wrangling as they struggle to erase a projected $4.2 billion deficit. But House and Senate leaders say they hope to break the impasse later today (THURSDAY) with final votes on both a health and human services package and a bonding bill that borrows money for state building projects. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael reports on the budget gridlock.
May 28, 2003 - State lawmakers are in danger of missing yet another of their self-imposed timeposts. The fate of a $217 million bonding bill is unresolved in the House. That could lead to delays in approving other elements of the state budget. House lawmakers last night did pass a transportation funding bill and a tax measure that avoids any new state taxes. But Senate DFLers adjourned without taking any action. They say the bonding bill, which authorizes an increase in state debt for long-term investments, is their top priority. And they say they won't consider the other budget measures until the House passes it. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 26, 2003 - Governor Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders have made a major breakthrough in budget negotations. Negotiators met late last night and into the morning to craft agreements on transportation funding, aid payments to local governments, and state borrowing. Lawmakers are expected to return later today to tackle the final piece of the puzzle the health and human services budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 23, 2003 - The months-long debate over the future of Minnesota's nuclear power could be resolved later today (FRIDAY). Late last night, House members used the special legislative session to revive a plan that expands nuclear waste storage at Xcel Energy's Prairie Island facility in order to keep the plan functioning through 2014. The House passed the package 81-to-48. The bill now heads to the Senate floor, were a similar plan was defeated earlier this week in a filibuster that ended the regular legislative session. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 23, 2003 - MPR’s Michael Khoo talks with All Things Considered host Lorna Benson about a Minnesota legislative plan that extends nuclear waste storage at Xcel Energy's Prairie Island plant. The proposal is meant to keep the facility operating through 2014, but has run into objections from environmental advocates. Critics say it lacks a strong commitment to renewable energy alternatives and provides no explicit role for lawmakers in future nuclear waste storage debates.
May 22, 2003 -
May 21, 2003 - State lawmakers have made only incremental progress towards completing a $4.2 billion deficit-reduction package. Legislators returned to the Capitol yesterday (TUESDAY) to begin a special session meant to resolve business left undone when the regular session ran out the clock Monday night. A state government finance bill is now on its way to Governor Tim Pawlenty's desk, but at least six other funding measures await final legislative action. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.