Over the decades, MPR has presented the many different perspectives of Minnesota politics and politicians. This collection is home to a multitude speeches, interviews and debates on the issues of the day. Important topics of civil rights, environment, crime, budget, legislation, and campaigns are addressed.
Click on link to these well-known figures to see audio segments directly related to them: Michele Bachmann Arne Carlson Keith Ellison Hubert Humphrey Amy Klobuchar Eugene McCarthy Walter Mondale Tim Pawlenty R.T. Rybak Jesse Ventura Paul Wellstone
May 5, 1977 - MPR’s Debbie Gage reports on debate in Minnesota Senate chambers over gay rights bill, which would have given protection to gays in the areas of housing employment education and credit, but not sanction gay marriage or gay adoption. It also did not provide protection and public accommodations.
May 12, 1977 - U.S. Representative Donald Fraser, of Minneapolis, took part in a seminar on the BWCA, sponsored by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. Fraser spoke on his bill regarding future use of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota. Fraser's bill would ban entirely any logging or use of motors from both the interior and exterior portions of the BWCA.
May 12, 1977 - Congressman Jim Oberstar, of the 8th district, took part in a seminar on the BWCA, sponsored by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. Oberstar, who represents an area which includes the BWCA, spoke on his bill proposing legislation which would add more territory to the existing million acres of the BWCA and roughly split the land between a wilderness area for hiking and canoeing only, and a "recreational area" where motorboats, snowmobiles and some logging would be permitted.
May 21, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR legislative reporter Debbie Gage introduces an example of the Minnesota legislature and how they function. The debate on this program is on the Ban the Can bill, which deals with container deposit and litter.
June 8, 1977 - MPR’s Rich Dietman reports on the fight over local laws protecting homosexuals from discrimination. Dietman talks Florian Chmielewski, DFL state senator of Sturgeon Lake; and Jack Baker, a Minneapolis attorney and a coordinator of the Target City Coalition.
June 17, 1977 -
July 23, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR's Bob Potter talks with Senator Bill McCutcheon, Citizens League representatives, Minnesota Tax Payers Association members, and the League of Minnesota Cities about McCutcheon's property tax bill.
August 13, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, Bruce Vento, congressman of Minnesota's 4th district of St. Paul, talks with MPR’s Bob Potter and answers listener questions. Topics included energy bill, BCWA, and child abuse.
August 27, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, Don Fraser, congressman of Minnesota's 5th district, talks with MPR’s Bob Potter and answers listener questions. Topics included Fraser's senate intentions, BCWA, energy issues, and economy.
October 8, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, a presentation of speech to Citizens League by Tom Berg, state representative of Minneapolis and chairman of the House Local and Urban Affairs Committee, about the ongoing studies on the financial health of Minneapolis and St. Paul.