May 3, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports that Governor Ventura has promised to veto a bill targeting his outside income. The bill would require all members on the state board of investment to disclose any money earned outside of office. The governor also threatened to file a lawsuit if lawmakers override his veto and the bill become law.
May 1, 2002 - Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch said today (Weds) he'll ask the Ramsey County District Court judge to switch control of a portion of the state's tobacco endowment to a panel that includes two former governors. Hatch recently filed a lawsuit to remove the $202 million dollar endowment from MPAAT to a five person panel. Hatch and MPAAT officials have been arguing over how the indpendent non-profit uses the money. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 30, 2002 - Governor Ventura says he would not oppose legislation that would require all state politicians to disclose their outside income, but he says lawmakers are unfairly singling him out. The Legislature is preparing to take up a bill that would require members on the State Board of investment to disclose their income. Ventura is a member of the board, along with Minnesota's other constitutional officers.
April 25, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that the Minnesota Senate passed a bill that would require students to recite the pledge of allegiance in school at least once a week. Supporters say the bill would help teach patriotism to children, but opponents say the state shouldn't force students to recite the pledge.
April 23, 2002 - A disagreement between the Minnesota Attorney General's office and a non-profit anti-tobacco organization escalated today (TUESDAY). The two sides are fighting over how the non-profit distributes hundreds of millions of dollars for smoking cessati on and medical research. The Attorney General filed a lawsuit in Ramsey District Court last week saying the Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco is misusing its funds. Hatch wants someone else to oversee the money. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 19, 2002 - The stalemate between House Republicans and Senate DFLers continues at the Capitol as lawmakers go home for a three day weekend. Some are saying part of the reason for the gridlock over solving Minnesota's budget problems is due to politically powerful lobbying group -- The Taxpayers League of Minnesota. At least one Senate DFLer says lawmakers need to decide if they owe more to their constituents or to the group. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 19, 2002 - Minneapolis activist Ken Pentel has announced his candidicacy for governor as a member of the Green Party. The Green Party became one of four major political parties in the state when Green Party Presidential candidate Ralph Nader garnered over five percent of the vote in 2000. Pentel says the major themes of his campaign will be improving the state's environment, its election system and help poor people. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
April 17, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that budget negotiations proceeded at a snail's pace at the State Capitol. A co-chairman in a joint House-Senate budget balancing conference committee says he sees little need to meet until legislative leadership agrees to spending targets for conference committees. About the only sign of movement came on transportation funding as House Republicans made their first indication they would be open to a gas tax increase.
April 9, 2002 - A committee in the Minnesota House has approved a bill that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for some Minnesotans. The bill seemed unlikely to pass this year when a key committee chairman announced three weeks ago that the legislation was "dead" because of the state's finances. However, the bill's chief author said the stalement in budget negotiations allowed him to continue work on the issue and he is hopeful the bill will pass the House floor. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
March 29, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports that Governor Ventura has renewed his threats to veto any proposed tax increases by the Minnesota Legislature and hinted he may call lawmakers back for a special session. Ventura said he was unhappy that only a few lawmakers are negotiating their budget balancing, transportation, and bonding proposals behind closed doors.