June 19, 1997 - School district administrators throughout the state are preparing for the coming school year with an unclear picture of their finances. The Minnesota legislature will meet in special session next week to work on a new K-12 education funding bill. Governor Carlson vetoed the first bill because it did not include his tax credit plan. The lack of a funding bill will begin causing problems for schools when the fiscal year ends June 30th. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
June 23, 1997 - The candidate for superintendent of Minneapolis schools says the failure rate of students of color is the biggest challenge facing the state's largest school district. Carol Johnson, the current superintendent of St. Louis Park schools, told school board members today how she would address that and other challenges. The board spent two hours interviewing its lone candidate for the job. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
June 23, 1997 - Governor Carlson and DFL-Legislative leaders met today to discuss a K-12 education funding bill. The governor vetoed a funding bill at the end of the session because it did not contain $150-million in tax credits and deductions that parents could apply toward private and religious school tuition. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports the new DFL proposal contains four key components, including raising the state's minimum wage.
June 24, 1997 - Minnesota's 8th District DFL Congressman Jim Oberstar says airline officials should "clean-up their act" or the Congress will act. Oberstar is pushing legislation called the Airline passenger's bill of rights. Under the plan, airlines would be required to disclose their flight delay and cancellation policies. They would have to provide food and bathrooms during lengthy delays. The plan also calls for the airlines to double the payments passengers receive for lost luggage or for being bumped from a flight. Oberstar says he's encouraged by moves Northwest Airlines is making to respond to passenger complaints.
June 25, 1997 - Midday previews the special session of the Minnesota Legislature with guests Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe and House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum. Education funding is the main topic. Listeners also call in with questions.
June 25, 1997 - Governor Carlson has called state lawmakers into special session tomorrow. A K-12 education funding bill is the motive for the session, but some other bills, such as lowering the legal blood alcohol for drunk driving and raising wages for some state officials, are likely to come up. As Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports the special session seems like deja vu.
June 26, 1997 - Governor Carlson and legislative leaders announced a breakthrough in their talks over K-12 education funding, the subject of today's Special Session. Last night's announcement ended a stalemate that's lasted for over one-month, since the legislature passed a bill under the shadow of a veto. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports.
June 27, 1997 - The Minnesota Legislature passed a K-12 education funding as worked out in advance by the governor and legislative leaders. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports that the one-day special session was swift and amiable.
June 27, 1997 - Governor Carlson will sign the K-12 education funding bill Monday. Reaction remains mixed following the one-day speciall session. Most of the attention and controversy centered on the inclusion of tax credits and tax deductions for educational expenses, but the $6.7 million bill contains other significant provisions for schools. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
July 3, 1997 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with Mark Yudof, the new University of Minnesota president. Topics include bringing unity to campus, undergraduate programs, finances, and Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. He also answers listener call-in questions.