April 23, 1999 - With no Reform Party members in the legislature, Governor Ventura has no party allies, and is turning to technology to lean on lawmakers. The latest project of "JesseNet" - the Ventura administration's online network of supporters - is Legislature Watch Teams, volunteers who will try to pressure lawmakers to support the Governor's policies. The first team is being organized in the district of a key lawmaker opposed to Ventura's light rail proposal.
April 22, 1999 - The school shootings in Littleton, Colorado, has re-opened a debate here in Minnesota over permits for concealed weapons. Governor Jesse Ventura is speculating so-called "concealed-carry" laws could have prevented the violence in Colorado. Opponents say more guns only lead to more bloodshed.
April 20, 1999 - When Republicans took control of the Minnesota House, they talked about cutting government spending, and appointed one of their most fiscally conservative colleagues to chair the committee in charge of funding certain state agencies. Republican leaders then told State Government Finance Committee chair Phil Krinkie to spend one-hundred million dollars LESS than Governor Ventura proposed in his budget. Krinkie has gone even further, chopping another 40-million, and ruffling some feathers in his own caucus in the process.
April 16, 1999 - In his first 100 days in office, Governor Jesse Ventura has prided himself on speaking his mind. But sometimes speaking his mind has gotten Ventura in trouble. On several occasions, critics have said the governor's comments reflect a lack of sensitivity on issues pertaining to single mothers and minorities.
April 15, 1999 - Governor Ventura has named thirteen new people to the sixteen member Metropolitan Council, dramatically changing the makeup of the regional body. He chose people from business, inner city neighborhoods, agriculture and minority groups. One of the new council members, Matthew Ramadan, the director of the Minneapolis Northside Residents Council, is Ventura's first African American appointee.
April 15, 1999 - During last fall's campaign, Governor Jesse Ventura often talked about lower taxes and smaller government, positions that struck a chord with business leaders. But after the governor's first 100 days, there's some cautious grumbling in the business community, that they heard a republican philosophy but are seeing Democratic policies.
April 14, 1999 - Governor Ventura and Senate DFLers spent the day down-playing the significance of the surprise tax cut passed last night in the Minnesota House. House DFLers and Republicans joined forces to approve tax cuts and rebates worth more that $1-point-4 Billion dollars a year but Ventura and Senate leaders say the House went too far.
April 14, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura offered his own assessment of his first 100 days in office during Minnesota Public Radio's Midday program today. Ventura says he takes pride in his smooth transition, the quality of commissioners he's named, and his budget. When MPR host Gary Eichten asked him about mis-steps and comments that have riled people, the governor said he has no regrets.
April 13, 1999 - A new Minnesota Public Radio/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows most Minnesotans still think highly of Governor Ventura after his first 100 days in office. His approval rating has dipped significantly from the last poll taken before he took office, but he still gets high marks from a majority of voters. Most like his plain spoken style and agree with him that people should rely on themselves--not government--to solve their problems. But a significant number of people also say it's too soon to judge the governor's performance, and they'll wait before they make up their minds about Ventura.
April 13, 1999 - Governor Jesse Ventura went head-to-head with critics of his transportation programs earlier today. During a speech in downtown Minneapolis , members of the Libertarian party heckled the governor for his support of light-rail transit in the Twin Cities.