June 29, 2001 - A Ramsey County district judge has ordered state finance officials to keep writing checks if the Legislature fails to finish a budget by midnight tomorrow. Still, lawmakers are working feverishly to avert that prospect by finishing their business before the fiscal year comes to a close. Work remains on several major funding bills. Negotiators finished work on the transportation bill today (FRIDAY) but are still putting the finishing touches on the state government operations bill. The House and Senate must still pass both bills, along with the health and human services bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
June 26, 2001 - With four days to go before a potential government shutdown, Minnesota lawmakers are still wrestling with tax and spending issues. State employees picketed at more than sixty state buildings today (TUESDAY) to urge the Legislature to pass a new two-year budget before state funding runs out this weekend. Legislative leaders say they should be able to avoid a shutdown - but have yet to resolve some thorny issues from abortion to welfare reform. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
June 22, 2001 - The Lights On bill introduced in the senate would fund the government at current levels and a 3% inflation increase. Governor Ventura will not support the bill because it does not include tax cuts.
June 21, 2001 - Democrats introduce a new bill at the capitol called Lights On. It would fund government at current levels and a 3% inflation increase. The bill is not accepted by all politicians.
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May 18, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that another day of budget negotiations passed at the Capitol with no deal. Legislative leaders have been meeting on and off with aides to Governor Ventura to try to break a logjam over major tax and spending issues. With less than four days left until Monday's adjournment deadline, a special session seems inevitable, and there's plenty of finger-pointing going on.
May 16, 2001 - House and Senate committees will vote today (WEDNESDAY) on legislative redistricting proposals designed to account for population shifts in the 2000 census. Senate D-F-L'ers released their plan yesterday (TUESDAY), and Republicans immediately attacked it as blatantly partisan. The posturing comes as time is running short for a redistricting agreement yet this session. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
May 15, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that Governor Ventura has vetoed a sweeping health and human services bill because it contained an abortion waiting period. Meanwhile, the DFL-controlled Senate narrowly rejected the waiting period while working up a backup health and human services package.