March 15, 2002 - Governor Jesse Ventura enters the Twins ballpark debate with a plan of his own. Ventura's proposal avoids any new taxes, user fees, or surcharges, and relies strictly on a multi-part financing plan to shift the costs entirely onto the team. Lawmakers say the plan shows promise, but the package requires a substantial upfront investment by the Twins. The team has recently balked at paying cash upfront.
March 14, 2002 - MPR’s Tom Scheck report that a Senate committee chairman looking into the cost of Governor Ventura's executive protection has postponed hearings originally scheduled. Senator Dean Johnson says he still expects the Transportation and Public Safety Budget Committee to take up the issue, but he hasn't decided on a date.
March 14, 2002 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that a Twins ballpark bill has limped across the finish line in the Senate. It's the first time a stadium bill has succeeded in the House or Senate since 1997. The bill survived several potentially lethal amendments and passed only after lawmakers scaled back a proposed statewide tax on sports memorabilia.
November 29, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports on new task force that will discuss various plans in building a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins. Financing options will be the main point of the meeting.
May 11, 2001 - Minnesota Twins' unexpected success on the field is helping persuade in a new Minnesota House stadium proposal. In it, citizen contributions are stripped from the proposal and state government would contribute only by waiving the tax on construction supplies.
March 29, 2001 - MPR's Michael Khoo reports that the move to build a new Twins stadium with partial state funding cleared a crucial legislative committee. The favorable vote comes just one day before the first deadline for committee action, but the legislation still faces significant obstacles. A number of lawmakers and citizens' groups remain staunchly opposed to public funding for a new ballpark.
October 28, 1997 - Midday offers live two-hour coverage of the legislative Special Session with a debate on the Twins ballpark/stadium in the Minnesota Senate. Debate includes gambling as a funding source. MPR reporter Martin Kaste joins Gary Eichten to provide analysis as debate plays out.
May 20, 1997 - Midday discussion with the four legislative leaders from the State Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, Senate Minority Leader Dean Johnson, House Speaker Phil Carruthers, and House Minority Leader Steve Sviggum share their thoughts on the close of the regular legislative session and the chances of a special session due to potential governor veto on education bill. The guests also answer listener call-in questions.
May 1, 1997 - Bud Selig, Major League Baseball's acting commissioner, told state lawmakers the league wouldn't prevent the Twins from leaving Minnesota. Selig says the team needs a new stadium to remain financially healthy. Selig failed to fully endorse two elements many stadium supporters hope to see in a ballpark bill: financing with gaming revenues, and partial state ownership of the team.
April 29, 1997 - State lawmakers on the House and Senate tax committees will be discuss proposals for financing a new Twins stadium…and It's a critical day for stadium supporters, because with less than three weeks left in the legislative session, they still have no politically viable plan to pay for a new ballpark.