April 2, 1979 - MPR’s live coverage of Minnesota House debate on bill and vote on S.F. 20, which would repeal the 2% sports stadium commission liquor tax on on-sale liquor in the seven-county metro area. Program includes conclusion of debate and subsequent House vote, with 71 ayes and 63 nays.
April 5, 1979 - The final debate on the bill to repeal the 2% liquor tax to help financing the domed stadium is concluded with a vote to repeal the tax.
May 5, 1979 - On this regional public affairs program, two points of view on Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II). Author Sidney Lens and Secretary of Defense Harold Brown, speaking at Carleton College in Northfield, share their perspective of the SALT II Treaty and our strategic future.
May 18, 1979 - MPR’s live coverage of Minnesota House of Representatives debating the issue of removing Independent-Republican Representative Robert Pavlak from his seat due to an election law violation in his campaign over former DFL Representative Arnold Kempe. (ADDITIONAL REFERENCE - Bob Pavlak was expelled for unfair campaign practices, and the seat was declared vacant. Pavlak ran unsuccessfully in the special election. Frank J. Rodriguez, Sr. won the special election, and the DFL gained control of the House. In the process of selecting a Speaker, the DFL split into factions, with 26 DFLers supporting Fred C. Norton and 42 supporting Irv Anderson; however, 49 Independent-Republicans sided with the pro-Norton faction, and Norton became Speaker for the 1980 session.)
July 18, 1979 - Stewart Udall, environmentalist and former Secretary of the Interior, and Leon Martel, executive vice president of the Hudson Institute, debate the resolution "There Is an Energy Crisis in the United States" at the first annual Charles A. Lindbergh Memorial Lecture at St. Cloud State University. Stewart Udall argued there is an energy shortage in the United States, while Leon Martel argued the opposite.
June 26, 1981 - Dr. Gough Reinhardt, physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California; and Dr. Frank Barnaby, director of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, debate at the Science Town Hall Meeting titled, “Nuclear Weapons Technology: Do We Need It?” The meeting was held at the St. Paul-Ramsey Arts and Science Auditorium and presented guests' differing views of nuclear weapons technology and the value and uses of nuclear science. MPR’s Rich Dietman moderated debate.
March 17, 1982 - MPR's Bob Potter presents live hearing and debate coverage from the Minnesota capital.
October 17, 1983 - St. Paul city council debates, live from Town Square, sponsored by St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Ward 2 candidates are incumbent Jim Scheibel and challenger Sharon Anderson Ward 5 candidates are incumbent Hugo Masanz and challenger Janice Rettman Panelists for debate are Jon Grunseth, vice president for public affairs at Economics Laboratory; Kathleen McLaughlin, executive director of the National Association of Women Business Owners; and Al Classman, certified public accountant with the firm Boyum and Barenscheer. Wy Spano, of Wyman Spano Public Affairs, moderates.
October 18, 1983 - St. Paul city council debates, live from Town Square, sponsored by St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Ward 1 candidates: Incumbent Bill Wilson Ward 4 candidates: Incumbent Bob Fletcher and challenger Joanne Ennis Ward 7 candidates: Incumbent Vic Tedesco and challenger Leo Reck Panelists for debate are Anne Ford Nelson, assistant vice president at Commercial State Bank; Jon Grunseth, vice president for public affairs at Economics Laboratory; and Al Classman, certified public accountant with the firm Boyum and Barenscheer. Wy Spano, of Wyman Spano Public Affairs, moderates.
October 19, 1983 - St. Paul city council debates, live from Town Square, sponsored by St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Ward 3 candidates: Katherine Ackland and John Groo Ward 6 candidates: Incumbent Chris Nakosha and challenger Tom Hilber Panelists for debate are Luci Fenner, owner of "First Daisy" and "Accent Minnesota"; Al Classman, certified public accountant with the firm Boyum and Barenscheer; and Jon Grunseth, vice president for public affairs at Economics Laboratory. Wy Spano, of Wyman Spano Public Affairs, moderates.