April 2, 2004 - The Minnesota House has passed a health and human services budget bill that attempts to reduce health care costs, cuts welfare benefits and restores some of last year's cuts in benefits for the disabled. The House voted 83 to 46 after debating the measure for five hours. The bill would also allow for-profit HMOs to operate in the state and reduces state regulations for HMOs. Critics say the bill is unfair to the poor. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
April 1, 2004 - The Minnesota Family Council says it will begin running several hundred radio ads this week to put pressure on members of the Minnesota Senate to vote for a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage. A senate committee defeated the proposal last week and replaced it with a proposal that would allow only the Legislature to define marriage. The Family Council says it hopes the ads will increase public support for the amendment that would define marriage between one man and one woman. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 31, 2004 - A committee in the Minnesota Senate has voted to remove Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau from her job as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The recommendation now moves onto the full Senate which will make the final decision on Molnau's future. Molnau serves in the unique position of holding both the lieutenant governor and transportation commissioner titles. Critics say Molnau doesn't have a balanced plan to improve Minnesota's roads, bridges and transportation needs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
March 30, 2004 - A Minnesota Senate committee has recommended against confirming Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau in her second state government role - commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The 9-to-7 vote fell along party lines, with DFLers opposing confirmation of the Republican Molnau. Her confirmation now goes to the full Senate. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck followed the debate this afternoon and is on the line with us now. Tom, why did Molnau run into trouble?
March 26, 2004 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports on the debate over same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue. The civil rights argument has caused concern among some African American religious leaders in Minnesota, especially when they've heard it compared to the fight for racial equality. While they argue that the civil rights struggle is completely different than the gay marriage issue, others counter that one should look to history in considering discrimination.
March 26, 2004 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on a committee vote in the DFL Senate defeating proposed amendment that would ban gay marriage. That measure would allow the voters to decide if the Minnesota Constitution should ban same sex marriage and any legal equivalent. The committee did approve a proposed constitutional amendment that would prevent the courts from forcing the Legislature to define gay marriage, as the Massachusetts Supreme Court has done.
March 22, 2004 - Several thousand people attended a rally at the Capitol today in support of a constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage. Supporters of the ban say they want the Minnesota constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. While ban supporters rallied outside the Capitol, their allies in the Senate tried, but failed, to force a floor vote. Opponents of the amendment say the measure is mean spirited and would codify discrimination in the Minnesota Constitution. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 3, 2004 - The Minnesota State Board of Investment adopted a resolution today that would encourage the drug company, Pfizer, and other drug companies, to change their business practices. Minnesota's pension funds own about 476 million dollars in Pfizer stock. Governor Pawlenty, who sits on the investment board, proposed the resolution after the company cut off supplies to Canadian drug wholesalers that sell to Americans. Some worry that the proposed action could decrease Pfizer's stock price and hurt retirees who depend on the state's pension fund. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
February 24, 2004 -
February 19, 2004 - Several DFL lawmakers unveiled a plan today to ban smoking in all public buildings in Minnesota, including bars and restaurants. They say the ban would help reduce smoking related illnesses and boost business. Critics say the bill is unfair because state government should not impose additional regulations on businesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.