May 21, 2003 - A bill that funds the state courts, public safety and public defense is on its way to Governor Pawlenty. The Minnesota House passed the bill this afternoon (Weds) on a 70 to 62 vote. Supporters say the bill, which is a compromise between the House, Senate and Governor Pawlenty, is the best they can do in difficult budget times. Lawmakers are working to pass a budget that erases a four-point-two billion dollar deficit without raising taxes. Opponents say the bill is filled with fees and is bad public policy. It was the only major piece of legislation to pass on the second day of the Legislature's special session. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 20, 2003 - as they head into a special session. Conference committee members are negotiating their differences on several budget bills but legislative leaders say time may be running out. They say they'll intervene by the end of the day if the two sides can't compromise on the remaining bills. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 19, 2003 - The Minnesota House has voted 81 to 51 on a bill that would allow Xcel Energy to store more nuclear waste at the Prairie Island nuclear facility. Supporters say the 12 additional storage casks would keep the facility running and keep energy costs down. They also say it would require Xcel to spend millions of dollars a year on renewable energy sources. Opponents say the bill is a step back and would take the decision of future storage casks out of the Legislature's hands. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
May 16, 2003 - Legislative leaders emerged from talks around midnight saying they're close to reaching an agreement on an overall budget. House Republicans and Senate DFLers say they hope to finalize the deal today and have conference committees negotiate over the weekend. They say they probably don't have time to pass all of the budget bills before the Monday night deadline. They hope, however, that they'll have enough time to finish several of them. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 15, 2003 - Legislative leaders are still trying to negotiate an overall budget deal. They're saying it's unlikely they'll finish by next Monday's deadline and believe they'll need at least a short special session to complete their work. One of the major differences between Senate DFLers and House Republicans is on the health and human services budget. The two sides are hundreds of millions of dollars apart and differ on several policy issues. The House is proposing cuts to state subsidized health insurance programs and childcare assistance to help balance the budget. Senate DFLers are proposing a cigarette tax increase to offset the proposed cuts. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
May 15, 2003 - Negotiations on an overall budget agreement are continuing at the state Capitol today but legislative leaders say it's unlikely that they'll finish their work on time. Lawmakers are facing a Monday deadline and are still more than one (B) dollars apart on a budget deal. They remain optimistic that the two sides can agree on an overall budget deal, but still remain divided on tax increases. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 14, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty says he'll call state lawmakers back for a special session immediately if they don't reach agreement on a state budget by next Monday. Pawlenty and House Speaker Steve Sviggum say they're concerned that there won't be enough time to finish all of their work even if an overall budget framework is agreed upon soon. They say they need to give conference committees ample time to negotiate their differences and for the revisors office to process paperwork. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 9, 2003 - Several city officials and local police chiefs are asking the Legislature to change the so-called concealed carry that law that will go into effect on May 28th. They're urging lawmakers to grant cities the authority to forbid guns on city property. They say they want the same rights granted to local schools and private businesses. Supporters of gun rights say the proposal would undermine their ability to create a statewide uniform law for permit holders. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
May 8, 2003 - The board of directors of the HMO, Medica, is asking a Hennepin County District judge to release the company from the oversight of the court and Attorney General Mike Hatch. Hatch is challenging the request. He appointed several members of the current board in 2001 after a contentious battle that led to splitting off Medica from Allina Hospitals and Clinics. Hatch now says the board isn't doing its job. He wants them to appoint new board members and hire a CEO. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
May 7, 2003 - The latest Minnesota Public Radio, St. Paul Pioneer Press Poll shows a slight majority would oppose an increase to the gas tax or their license tab fees to pay for transportation projects. Respondents were split over the condition of the state's roads. Both the House and Senate have passed different transportation funding projects. Governor Pawlenty and House Republicans say the poll reinforces their decision not to raise taxes to pay for transportation projects. Senate DFLers say the polls show more people support an increase than in previous years. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...