October 3, 2007 - The DFL heads of the state House and Senate join Midday to discuss the ongoing controversy over funding to rebuild the collapsed 35W bridge, as well as the state's transportation funding in general.
May 14, 2004 - Midday broadcasts live from the Capitol rotunda on one of the last regular days of business for the state legislators. By law, the state legislature must adjourn in three days. Key legislators stop by the MPR broadcast table, including House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon; Senator Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis; Representative Phil Krinkie, R-St. Paul; Senator Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon; House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul; and Representative Alice Seagren, R-Bloomington. Wayne Simoneau, former longtime DFL legislator and former state commissioner in both the Carlson and Ventura administrations, offers analysis.
November 29, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that while it is too soon to tell if extending taxes to services will be a major component to Ventura's financial recommendations, he may revive his plan. The response to the idea from Legislature has not been favorable and they are being vocal about it.
April 26, 2001 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that prospects for a major state income tax cut appear dim. House Republicans, who previously championed the idea of across-the-board income tax cuts say they're now leaning towards substantial property tax reform and relief. Governor Jesse Ventura and Senate DFLers are also promoting property tax cuts, but some conservative groups say House leaders are compromising their principles.
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.
January 29, 1999 - Christine Jax, commissioner of Children, Families and Learning, discusses the Governor's education budget with the chairs of the House and Senate K-12 education committees - DFL Senate Chairman, Larry Pogemiller; and Republican House Chair, Alice Seagren. Jax, Pogemiller, and Seagren also answer listener questions.
January 13, 1999 - Larry Pogemiller, state senator and chair of the Senate K-12 education committee, discusses new report on how much school districts think it would cost to get 80 percent of their students to pass the basic skills tests for graduation. Pogemiller also answers listener questions.
July 29, 1998 - Jean Johnson, senior vice-president of the polling firm Public Agenda, and State Senator Larry Pogemiller, Chair of the Senate K-12 education committee, discuss a new education survey called "Time to Move On." The study showed that African-American parents want public schools to focus on raising academic standards rather than promoting integration and diversity. Johnson and Pogemiller also answer listener questions.
May 12, 1998 - Kate Trewick, Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Children, Families and Learning, and State Senator Larry Pogemiller, Chair of the Senate K-12 Budget Committee, discuss the newly approved graduation standards called "Profile of Learning." Trewick and Pogemiller also answer listener questions.
April 1, 1998 - DFL Senator Larry Pogemiller and Republican Representative Alice Seagren discuss education funding and issues. “Profile of Learning” standard is part of discussion. Pogemiller and Seagren also answer listener questions.