January 28, 2002 - When Minnesota lawmakers return to the Capitol tomorrow (TUESDAY) for the 2002 session, one of their top agenda items will be assembling a package of public works projects. Governor Ventura is recommending 845-million dollars in projects, and some legislators want to borrow even more. Minnesota Pubic Radio's Laura McCallum analyzed the last twenty years of major capital investment bills to find out where the state has spent most of its money, and has this report...
January 10, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on comments from Ventura's finance commissioner, Pam Wheelock, who says the budget plan will include a combination of spending cuts, tax increases and dipping into the state's budget reserves. She says resolving a deficit of this magnitude will be painful.
January 10, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum provides an overview of Governor Ventura’s budget plan. In a press conference, Ventura outlined his plan for addressing a nearly two-billion dollar projected budget deficit, saying he would not hide behind quick decisions and that everybody is sharing the hurt…and there's plenty of pain to go around.
January 4, 2002 - Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports on Governor Ventura’s final State of the State address of his term. He used the speech to provide Minnesotans with his perspective on the state's budget problems. The state faces a nearly two-billion dollar projected budget shortfall. The governor says if the Legislature doesn't act quickly to solve the problem, he'll use his authority to cut government spending.
January 4, 2002 - On this segment of MPR’s Word of Mouth, host Chris Roberts looks at city politicians and art organizations making a plea for support from Governor Ventura and the Minnesota legislature for funding. MPR’s Laura McCallum also provides a short report.
January 4, 2002 - Governor Ventura is taking offense about Roger Moe's attacks on Ventura's budget, blaming Ventura on a national deficit. MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura is taking offense about Roger Moe's attacks on Ventura's budget, referring to state's budget shortfall as the "Ventura deficit."
January 3, 2002 - MPR’s Laura McCallum provides a collection of political commentary regarding Governor Ventura’s upcoming final State of the State address of his term. In a break with tradition, Ventura will speak from the Governor's Residence with no live audience present. The governor says he'll focus on the state budget and the projected nearly two-billion dollar deficit.
December 26, 2001 - There's a good chance the DFL candidate for governor in 2002 will be a woman. Others may still enter the race, but for now, the DFL race is between two women - state Auditor Judi Dutcher and state Senator Becky Lourey. While women candidates may not seem unusual in the year 2002, it's worth noting that a woman has never been on the ballot for governor in Minnesota. The presence of Dutcher and Lourey in the race has many political observers, especially women, saying it's about time. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum has more...
December 21, 2001 - Scott Fischbach, the new head of the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL).
December 20, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on a legislative commission vote on the divisive issue of same-sex domestic partner benefits. The panel voted 7-to-5 to let the House and Senate decide for themselves whether to provide coverage for the same-sex partners of legislators and their staffs. The discussion foreshadows a larger debate in the upcoming session, with some lawmakers saying they'll vote to reject two union contracts that include the coverage.