JUNE 2001

With shutdown averted, Legislature adjourns
The Minnesota Legislature wrapped up a new two-year budget early Saturday morning, hours before a partial government shutdown would have begun. Lawmakers approved the final three spending bills and a bonding bill for long-term investments. June 30, 2001
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Judge steps onto Legislature's turf
Judge Lawrence Cohen says he will sign an order mandating the funding of core functions of state government in the event of a shutdown. June 29, 2001
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Lawmakers agree on transit bill; Senate passes K-12
Negotiators have reached an agreement on a transportation bill at the Capitol and are 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. June 29, 2001
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Legislature approves tax bill
The Minnesota House of Representatives passed a $900 million tax bill Thursday, after a rancorous debate threatened to sabotage efforts to avoid a government shutdown. June 28, 2001
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Negotiators agree on tax plan
House and Senate negotiators have signed off on a major property-tax reform bill that will produce double-digit cuts for all property categories. The $760 million measure is set for a House vote today and could be up in the Senate this evening or tomorrow. The Ventura administration and GOP leaders are hailing the package as historic, but some Democrats say the changes may pinch homeowners down the road. June 27, 2001
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Clock Ticks Toward Shutdown
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 60 state buildings 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. June 26, 2001
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Action returns to Capitol
The House and Senate Monday pass legislation funding higher education and environment and agriculture programs. The move marks the first major action by the Legislature in the two-week old special session. June 25, 2001
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Ventura, lawmakers break stalemate
House Republicans say they want to keep some options open in considering a budget compromise offered by Gov. Jesse Ventura. The governor offered a budget deal, which he says split the difference between the House and Senate on major unresolved tax and spending issues. Senate Democrats say they'll sign off on the proposal, but GOP leaders made it clear they still have concerns. June 22, 2001
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Lights out for 'lights on'?
Senate Democrats have introduced legislation to keep state government running if lawmakers fail to pass a new budget by July 1. House Republicans rejected the idea, along with a House DFL attempt to pass a sales-tax rebate. With the prospect of a government shutdown increasing by the day, the attorney general's office asked the courts to fund critical government functions if a shutdown occurs. June 21, 2001
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How to close state government
State agencies are taking the first concrete steps towards mothballing non-essential services in the event state government funding runs dry next month. Road construction and maintenance crews are expected to stop their work and begin securing construction zones in preparation for a potentially wider shutdown. June 21, 2001
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Criticism of Ventura mounts as shutdown nears
More than four weeks after the regular session adjourned, lawmakers continue to negotiate major tax and spending issues, but have yet to reach agreement. Some current and former legislative leaders say one factor in the protracted stalemate is Gov. Ventura's involvement - or lack thereof - in the negotiations. June 20, 2001
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Lawmakers wrangle over a delicate balance
Business leaders say to remain competitive Minnesota must continue cutting taxes. Critics of the plan say it would shift the burden of paying property taxes from businesses to homeowners. They say homeowners pay enough already and there are good reasons for commercial and industrial properties to pay a higher rate. June 20, 2001
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Senate DFLers press Ventura on education funding
Legislative leaders are resuming budget talks in hopes of breaking a month-old stalemate on fundamental tax and spending issues. House and Senate negotiators are expected to respond to offers traded during a closed meeting Tuesday night, and Senate DFLers are calling on Gov. Jesse Ventura to play a more public role in resolving the impasse. June 20, 2001
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Governor Talks Shutdown In Paynesville
Gov. Jesse Ventura took his weekly radio show to a dairy farm in central Minnesota on Friday. Ventura was there to raise awareness of National Dairy week, but he also spent time warning the crowd of farmers about the potential state government shutdown. June 15, 2001
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State, Union Agree To Shutdown Plan
The state and public employee unions have reached agreement on a plan to pay state workers if there's a government shutdown July 1. The move comes as legislative leaders appear no closer to a budget deal than they did when the special session began on Monday. June 15, 2001
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Governor Demands Quick End To Stalemate
On day four of the special session, the House and Senate remained deadlocked on major budget issues. Some lawmakers have suggested both bodies simply pass their own versions of tax and spending bills, send them to the governor and let him decide. But in an interview with MPR, Gov. Jesse Ventura said that scenerio means the Legislature is shirking its responsibility to agree on a new two-year budget. June 14, 2001
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Teachers' Fate Rest with Legislature
Preparations for a possible state government shutdown have made many Minnesota school districts even more concerned about their financial future. June 12, 2001
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Government Shutdown Planning Begins
With budget negotiations stalled at the state Capitol, agency heads are beginning to identify critical services that must be maintained even if spending bills aren't approved when the fiscal year closes at the end of the month. June 12, 2001
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Special Session Begins With No End In Sight

Minnesota lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Monday for the 40th special session in state history. The Legislature adjourned its regular session three weeks ago without passing a new two-year budget. The House and Senate remain divided on tax and spending issues, and both sides seem to be running out of ideas to end the stalemate. June 11, 2001
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Tension Increases as Capitol Clock Ticks
Gov. Ventura says state agencies are preparing for a government shutdown, as the budget standoff worsens. Meanwhile, legislative leaders are barely talking to each other. June 6, 2001
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Negotiations Stuck In Neutral
Budget talks have broken down at the state Capitol, but the rhetoric is only heating up. On Tuesday, Senate Democrats canceled a scheduled meeting with House Republicans and Gov. Jesse Ventura, saying there was nothing new to discuss. Negotiators remain divided on the appropriate levels of business property tax relief and education spending. The new impasse has once again raised the possibility of a government shutdown. June 6, 2001
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Schwietz Leaves MCCL
The state's largest anti-abortion group will soon see a change in leadership. Jackie Schwietz, executive director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, is stepping down in December. Her supporters say they're losing a tireless advocate for abortion restrictions, while her critics, including some who share her views on abortion, say her style was too confrontational to be effective. June 6, 2001
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Details Divide Lawmakers
Two weeks after the Legislature adjourned its regular session, lawmakers still haven't worked out the details on seven major tax and spending bills. Legislative leaders say it would take a miracle for them to finish their work by Wednesday, when Gov. Jesse Ventura wants to call a special session. The biggest sticking point hasn't changed - a debate over the level of education spending and the make-up of property tax cuts in the tax bill. June 5, 2001
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Negotiators Agree on Higher Ed Funding
Lawmakers wrapped up work Thursday on a $2.9 billion funding bill for higher education that left college officials predicting double-digit tuition increases. June 1, 2001
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MAY 2001

Final Pleas Aired At Capitol
Advocates for women, children and low-income families came to the Capitol on Wednesday in a last-ditch effort to influence Minnesota lawmakers before they make final decisions on a new two-year state budget. Conference committees are still working out the details of tax and spending bills under the framework of a budget deal reached last week. Critics say the agreement shortchanges women and children, and the number of disgruntled lawmakers who don't like the deal is growing. May 30, 2001
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Legislative and Administration Leaders Agree on Budget Deal
Legislative leaders reached agreement with the Ventura administration on the outlines of a budget and tax plan Friday, though they said details still need to be worked out. May 25, 2001
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Special Session May Be Tied to Unicameral Vote
Gov. Jesse Ventura says he may require lawmakers to vote on the unicameral question as a condition for calling them back for a special session. May 22, 2001
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Legislative Session Sputters to Halt
The 2001 legislative session gaveled to a close at midnight with action on only one of eight major spending measures and no tax bill. Lawmakers are resuming negotiations in preparation for a special session, which Gov. Jesse Ventura is expected to call to avoid a government shutdown on July 1. May 22, 2001
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Lawmakers Cast Blame For Unfinished Business
The 2001 Legislature will adjourn by midnight Monday without a major budget agreement. Lawmakers could leave the Capitol without sending the governor any sweeping spending or tax bills. Under any circumstances, a special session has become a certainty. While unfinished business has prompted several special sessions in recent memory, no one can at the Capitol can recall having as much left to address as lawmakers face this year. And that situation has prompted a round of finger-pointing between Gov. Jesse Ventura and the Legislature. May 21, 2001
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Week Ends Without Budget Deal
Another day of budget negotiations passed at the Capitol on Friday with no deal. Legislative leaders have been meeting on and off with aides to Gov. Jesse 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 18, 2001
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Special Session? Budget Talks Deadlock
Prospects for an orderly resolution to this year's legislative session have grown dimmer. On Thursday, Gov. Jesse Ventura warned lawmakers he has no intention of calling a special session if they're unable to pass major spending bills by Monday's adjournment deadline. But after a second late night of negotiations, House and Senate leaders failed to reach agreement. And House Republicans say they're skeptical about a Senate contingency plan to avert a government shutdown if a deal isn't forthcoming. May 17, 2001
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Senate Holsters Concealed Carry Proposal
Gun-control advocates have successfully blocked a move to loosen the state's handgun permitting laws. On Tuesday, supporters of so-called concealed-carry reform withdrew their bill after opponents amended the measure to preserve the discretion of local police chiefs in approving or denying handgun permits. The move has effectively killed the issue for the legislative session. May 16, 2001
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House, Senate Look for Options as Ventura Vetoes Health Bill Over Abortion
Gov. Jesse Ventura vetoed a $6.3 billion health and human services bill over an abortion waiting period Tuesday, even as the Senate pried the provision off another version of the bill. May 15, 2001
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Standoff Over Minnesota Energy Policy
It looks like the state of Minnesota will have an energy reliability law by the end of this legislative session. The Senate and House have passed differing versions of a bill, so a conference committee will have to work out the differences. One major point of negotiation will be deciding what role conservation and renewable energy will play in state energy policy. A final state bill could look very much like the Bush-Cheney energy proposal, which President Bush will outline when he visits Minnesota on Thursday. May 16, 2001
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Lawmakers Play 'Chicken' over Abortion Bill
A massive health and human services spending bill that contains a 24-hour waiting period for abortions is languishing on Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum's desk, delaying an almost-certain gubernatorial veto. Both sides in the abortion debate are accusing each other of playing politics. May 14, 2001
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Twins Hopeful About Legislation
The Minnesota Twins say they've glimpsed a ray of light in the stadium debate at the State Capitol. On Monday, a House committee approved a package that removes most of the public subsidies from the ballpark plan. The Twins say it's doubtful they would support such a deal, but they say they were encouraged by the suggestion they study the financing plan used for the Minnesota Wild's hockey arena. May 14, 2001
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Twins: Ballpark plan lands foul
There's good news and bad news for the Minnesota Twins. Lawmakers on Friday revived discussion on a new outdoor ballpark - but in an effort to generate more support, they've removed most of the public financing from the package. Twins officials say legislators may have gone too far, making the stadium deal unpalatable to the franchise. May 11, 2001
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Senate passes tax bill
The Minnesota Senate has passed a $600 million tax bill on a largely party-line vote. Republicans mocked the bill as a puny attempt to throw crumbs at taxpayers, while DFLers say they wanted to balance tax relief with new spending on education, transportation and health care. May 11, 2001
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Abortion Waiting Period Passes in House
The Minnesota House has voted 89-43 for a $6.3 billion health and human services funding bill, that includes a 24-hour abortion waiting period. Gov. Jesse Ventura says he'll veto the entire bill if it arrives on his desk with the abortion provision. His veto would cut off state funding for programs ranging from nursing homes to welfare on July 1. Supporters of the waiting period say Ventura should reconsider his threat. May 11, 2001
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Showdown Over Abortion Waiting Period
The Minnesota Senate Tuesday approved a Health and Human Services funding bill with an abortion provision that Gov. Jesse Ventura has promised to veto. Supporters of legalized abortion say funding for essential state services is being held hostage to abortion politics. But abortion foes say their plan to create a 24-hour waiting period for abortions is moderate, and deserves the govenor's signature. May 8, 2001
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Senate Democrats Release Tax Plan
With only two weeks to go in the legislative session, Senate DFLers have finally released details of their $609 million tax relief bill. The package concentrates on property tax relief for mid-range homes. But House Republicans say the size of the cuts are an "embarassment." And Gov. Jesse Ventura's administration says the bill fails to meet any of the governor's criteria for reform. May 8, 2001
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Property Taxes Emerge as Favored Target
The Minnesota House has overwhelmingly approved a $1.5 billion tax bill. The bill picked up 39 DFL votes, because many Democrats like its emphasis on cutting property taxes and eliminating the so-called 'sick tax.' May 4, 2001
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Miles - and Millions - Apart
The Minnesota House and Senate have approved K-12 education bills that are about $100 million apart on new spending, but both offer considerably more than Gov. Ventura's budget. May 4, 2001
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Politics on a Three-Legged Stool
Minnesota lawmakers have spent the past week passing major spending bills funding higher education, transportation, agriculture and other priorities. Now comes the hard part: getting the House, Senate and governor together on the major budget issues. May 3, 2001
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Standoff Over Abortion Looms at Capitol
Abortion politics played out in the Minnesota Senate as an abortion waiting period, vetoed by Gov. Ventura last year, was added to a massive health-spending bill. The abortion provision prompted the bill's sponsor to set the spending package aside before a final vote. Abortion opponents call the move an abuse of power, but supporters of legalized abortion say they're not willing to put an $8 billion bill at risk of a gubernatorial veto. May 1, 2001
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APRIL 2001

House Releases $1.56 Billion Tax Cut Plan
Income taxes also would drop, but not by way of traditional rate cuts. The House GOP plan focuses instead on capital gains relief and credits for low-income families totaling about $93 million. April 30, 2001
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The Incredible Shrinking Income Tax Cut
Prospects for a major 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. April 26, 2001
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Differences in Human Services Bills Focuses on Abortion Provision
Along partisan lines, a House committee approved a wide-ranging $6.3 billion health and human services funding bill. Democrats say it neglects children's health, teen pregnancy prevention and welfare recipients. It also includes an abortion provision that Gov. Ventura has threatened to veto. April 25, 2001
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Power to the Suburbs?
Minnesota Senate Republicans are the first out of the gate in the redistricting race. Caucus members unveiled a new map of congressional districts, which they say accounts for the explosive growth in Twin Cities suburbs. April 23, 2001
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Low High-Tech Ranking Gives Legislators Ammunition
The Twin Cities' shaky 10th-place showing in rankings of metropolitan areas' New Economy strength served as ammunition Thursday for a trio of DFL lawmakers seeking more money to bolster the state's high-tech sector. April 19, 2001
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Biodiesel Debate Pits Farmers Against Transportation Industry
A bill working its way through the Legislature would make Minnesota the first state to mandate the sale of biodiesel, an alternative fuel made from vegetable oil or animal fat. The bill, which gets a hearing in the House Transportation Finance Thursday, pits farmers against the trucking industry. Opponents say there are too many unanswered questions about biodiesel, while supporters say the proposal is something the state can do to help farmers. April 19, 2001
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White House Call Reshapes Senate Race
House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty says an unusual phone call from the White House has convinced him not to run for the U.S. Senate in 2002. April 18, 2001
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Rebate at Heart of Senate-Ventura Showdown
Gov. Jesse Ventura is criticizing Senate Democrats for not passing a tax-rebate bill this year, despite an April 15th deadline for taking action. Appearing on MPR's Midday program, Ventura said the failure to act means the Senate will have to accept his proposal, which returns the entire current year surplus. April 17, 2001
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Handgun Bill is Down, Not Out
A 'concealed carry' handgun bill, that was picking up steam at the Capitol, was dealt a major blow Friday. After two hours of debate, a key Senate committee defeated the bill, making it much trickier to get the bill through the Legislature. But supporters say the proposal is far from dead. April 6, 2001
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Legislature-Lobbyist Relations Strained
Last week's unusually angry outburst against lobbyists by a key legislator has many state Capitol insiders wondering what set it off. House Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Davids called the successful effort to kill wine sales in grocery stores 'the most disgusting, underhanded, unethical, pathetic, dishonest, dishonorable show of lobbying' that he's ever seen. April 3, 2001
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Mixing Abortion Policy with Budget Bills
Private providers of family planning services say they could lose significant funding if legislation approved by a key House committee becomes law. Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee voted to shift state family planning grants from non-profit groups to cities and counties. Opponents say the move is a veiled attack on groups that provide abortions. But supporters say the switch simply gives taxpayers oversight into how the money is used. April 3, 2001
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Education Funding Debate: Is 'Fuzzy Math' Involved?
After increasing education spending by more than $1 billion two years ago, Gov. Ventura says it's now time to hold the line. Educators say they need more money to prevent budget cuts and layoffs. As legislators craft their own education budget, there's still an argument over which numbers to believe. April 2, 2001
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MARCH 2001

Twins' Stadium Bill is Barely Breathing
The move to build a new Twins stadium with partial state funding has 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. March 29, 2001
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Redistricting Battle Looms
Political consultants are already sharpening their map-drawing pencils with an eye towards the once-in-a-decade redistricting battle. Sharp growth in the Twin Cities' suburban ring will require lawmakers to redefine legislative and Congressional boundaries to match shifting populations. March 28, 2001
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Abortion Waiting Period Approved
Just days before the first legislative committee deadline, abortion bills are gaining strength at the Capitol. A bill to create a special Choose Life license plate, and one to require a 24-hour waiting period before a woman could get an abortion cleared their first legislative hurdle. But Gov. Ventura says he'll veto both bills if they land on his desk. March 27, 2001
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Ventura Holds Court
Gov. Jesse Ventura revealed more than just his opposition to abortion legislation during an appearance on MPR's Midday program. The governor staked out positions on a host of proposals now under consideration at the Legislature. March 27, 2001
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Twins Stadium Gets Cool Reception in Senate Committee
A Twins ballpark bill generated little support or enthusiasm from lawmakers Thursday night at its first Senate hearing. After hearing testimony on the bill, members of the Senate's State and Local Government Operations Committee asked few questions and put aside the bill until at least next week - when it faces a critical legislative deadline. March 23, 2001
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Vikings Seek Stadium Study
The Minnesota Vikings announced legislation for a stadium study rather than launching a full-bore bid for public money toward a $500 million facility the team would share with the University of Minnesota. March 22, 2001
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Key Senator to Hold Hearing on Allina Spending
A key lawmaker says he plans to hold a hearing on spending by Allina Health System. Sen. Doug Johnson contends that lucrative consultant contracts, expensive golf and resort outings, basketball tickets and other expenses are driving up health care premiums. March 22, 2001
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A Simmering Feud
Gov. Ventura says he's considering asking for legislation to bar Minnesota teachers from striking. The suggestion is the latest in a developing feud between Ventura and educators. March 21, 2001
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Stadium Goes Nowhere Without Baseball Reforms
When the Minnesota Twins last made a major push for a new ballpark, team officials argued they needed the facility to make them financially competitive with the rest of the league. In the four years since that effort failed at the Legislature, player salaries have risen so high that the team now concedes that revenue from a new ballpark alone won't balance their books. That concession is reflected in a ballpark bill announced this week that would require a panel of judges to rule on whether Major League Baseball fixes such problems sufficiently to make a new stadium viable. March 20, 2001
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Lessons from a Legend
Minnesota's eldest former governor addressed the Senate Monday March 19th, one of only two times in recent memory a former statesman has been invited to speak on the Senate floor. Elmer Anderson, 91, used his half-hour speech to reminisce about politics and criticize Gov. Ventura's budget. March 19, 2001
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Ventura Finds a Friendly Crowd
Gov. Jesse Ventura stumped for his budget at a meeting of the state's largest business group, and got a more friendly reception than some other business interests have offered recently. March 14, 2001
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Coleman to St. Paul: 'Dream with Me'
Norm Coleman used his final State of the City speech to take an imaginary journey through Saint Paul in the year 2004. The technique allowed Coleman, who is not seeking a third term as mayor, to count as successes a number of projects still in the works and some that are not even that far along, including three new pro-sports facilities. March 14, 2001
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A State-Run Casino?
Leaders of Minnesota tribes that run casinos are urging Minnesota lawmakers to stay out of the casino business. Although a casino bill remains a long shot to pass this session, the issue is gaining momentum. March 13, 2001
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Emotional Testimony at 'Concealed Carry' Hearing
Emotional testimony from victims of gun violence marked a hearing on a concealed handgun bill. Two women whose parents were shot in front of them told their stories to lawmakers. But the two took different sides in the gun debate. March 8, 2001
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Internet: The Tax Target
Gov. Jesse Ventura has announced an effort to simplify the state's sales tax system. The move represents a first step toward taxing Internet sales. Ventura says it's not fair to impose sales taxes on Main Street businesses, but not e-commerce. March 7, 2001
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Ventura Tackles Campaign Finance Reform
Gov. Jesse Ventura has announced a package of campaign finance reforms he says will level the playing field for all candidates in future elections. A tripartisan group of lawmakers joined the governor to support his initiative, although some of them say even deeper reforms are necessary. March 6, 2001
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A Pattern of Success
Gov. Ventura wants to double the current funding targeted to American Indian students in an attempt to lower one of the state's highest dropout rates. A state program has already shown its value.March 6, 2001
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Students, Educators Rally for Increased Funding
As many as 1,000 students, parents, and educators rallied at the Capitol Monday for more education spending. March 5, 2001
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FEBRUARY 2001

Lawmakers Prepare Battle over Shrinking Budget Surplus
A smaller pot of surplus money is likely to mean less spending and smaller tax cuts and rebate checks than originally forecast for Minnesota residents over the next few years. February 28, 2001
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Lawmakers, Hatch Push Patients' Rights Legislation
A bipartisan group of lawmakers say they want to enact a "patient's bill of rights" during this year's session. Lawmakers say the measure will ensure that HMOs are held accountable when a patient is denied care. February 27, 2001
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The Art and Science of Budget Forecasts
The governor and state lawmakers find out this week whether they still have a big budget surplus to carve up, or whether the slowing economy will lead to less money than expected for tax cuts and spending increases. Nearly everyone at the Capitol expects the earlier projection of a $3 billion dollar surplus to have shrunk when state finance officials release the latest revenue forecast on Wednesday. February 26, 2001
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Lawmakers Consider Restoring Board of Education
The Minnesota Legislature voted three years ago to abolish the state Board of Education, but now some lawmakers are trying to reverse that decision.At least two bills have been introduced this session to resurrect the board. February 23, 2001
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Energy Deregulation: Dead on Arrival at Capitol?
As Minnesota lawmakers consider ways to alleviate a projected energy shortfall later this decade, advocates of energy deregulation are pitching a free-market solution. They say deregulating the state's electricity industry would increase power generation and improve the reliability of the system. But the much publicized instability of the deregulated California market has some Minnesotans skeptical of the benefits of retail competition. February 21, 2001
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Ventura Commissioner is a Finalist for Regents Spot
University of Minnesota Regent Michael O'Keefe has cleared a key hurdle to being re-elected, despite some political reluctance to his candidacy. Tuesday night, a House-Senate Education Committee recommended him and four other candidates for the U's governing board. February 21, 2001
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Poll: Minnesotans Favor Cracking Down on Drunk Driving
A new poll finds most Minnesotans support stiffer penalties for drunk drivers. The Minnesota Public Radio-St. Paul Pioneer Press Poll finds more than half of respondents want to lower the legal blood alcohol level to .08. They also support raising the penalty for multiple DWIs to a felony. February 16, 2001
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Ventura Gets an Earful
Gov. Jesse Ventura is on the road to shop his legislative agenda. Ventura spent Thursday afternoon in downtown St. Peter meeting with business owners. He brought along his budget proposals and tax reform agenda, and residents brought pointed questions. February 16, 2001
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Poll: Minnesotans Want Tuitions at U Held Down
A poll commissioned by Minnesota Public Radio and the St. Paul Pioneer Press suggests many Minnesotans would rather hold down tuition at the University of Minnesota than get a tax cut or rebate. The poll says holding down tuition is also more important to Minnesotans than raising faculty salaries. February 15, 2001
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Ventura Ready for Budget Fight
In an interview with Minnesota Public Radio, Gov. Jesse Ventura says he's the only one who 'can stand up to the education lobby.' Ventura says he's not backing down from his budget proposal, despite increasing pressure from lawmakers and educators. February 14, 2001
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Students Rally at Capitol
Thousands of Minnesota students converged on the state Capitol Wednesday to protest Gov. Jesse Ventura's proposed higher education budget. Education advocates say Ventura's budget shortchanges colleges and universities, but the governor is standing his ground. He says he wants to see higher education tighten its belt before seeking new state funds. February 13, 2001
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Poll: Spend Some of the Surplus

A new poll shows most Minnesotans favor using part of the state's projected $3 billion surplus for new spending initiatives. The Minnesota Public Radio-St. Paul Pioneer Press survey finds schools among the top priorities. DFL lawmakers say the results support their call for more spending on K-12 and higher education, but GOP leaders and the Ventura administration say they'll continue to push for tax relief. February 13, 2001
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Ventura to Oppose Collection of Racial Profiling Data
Gov. Ventura says he opposes mandatory collection of racial profiling data. The governor's comments came on the same day as a House committee heard testimony on several racial profiling bills. Most of those who appeared before the Crime Prevention Committee urged passage of a mandatory study to determine whether to what degree, if any, law enforcement officers make stops based on race. February 13, 2001
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Yudof Raises the Stakes
The University of Minnesota is keeping the heat on state lawmakers to allocate more money for the school than what the governor proposes. Yesterday, U of M President Mark Yudof went before the Senate Higher Education Budget Division to press his point. February 12, 2001
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Legislature Ready to Crack Down on Drunk Driving
A bill toughening penalties for chronic drunk drivers has passed its first legislative hurdle. While most lawmakers support making repeat drunk driving a felony, the bill has stalled in previous years because of its price tag. But the bill's sponsor is predicting the bill will make it through the Legislature and be signed into law. February 8, 2001
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Non-profits React to Ventura's Budget Plan
In Anoka, lawmakers held the second in a series of legislative hearings to introduce the public to the governors' tax-reform proposals. Members of the Senate Income and Sales Tax Budget Division mostly heard testimony from non-profit organizations concerned about how the plan's sales-tax provisions will affect them. February 7, 2001
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Energy Aid to Schools Stirs Rebate Debate
The Minnesota Senate has approved up to $30 million in emergency assistance for schools hit by rising energy costs. Supporters of the bill say the measure will allow schools to pay their heating bills without making cuts in other programs. But critics say the plan is just the first step towards spending down the state's projected surplus rather than returning it as a rebate. February 5, 2001
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JANUARY 2001

Legislators Warming to Stadium Idea
The Minnesota Twins are back at the Capitol talking about a new stadium. This time, team officials are taking a go-slow approach, listening to legislators and floating ideas. Some lawmakers are warming to one idea that doesn't involve a direct taxpayer subsidy, but they say funding a new ballpark won't be a top priority during a busy budget session. January 31, 2001
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Ventura Gets Heat from Higher Ed
Gov. Jesse Ventura is traveling around the state, trying to sell Minnesotans on his proposed budget. Some of the loudest criticism of the budget plan is coming from university and college administrators who say the governor's proposal will make them lose good professors, and raise tuition. Ventura made the first stop on his statewide budget tour at the University of Minnesota in Duluth. January 25, 2001
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Let the Lobbying Begin
The governor began taking his case to the public in St Paul. Meanwhile, the lobbying has begun in earnest as groups that feel short-changed by the governor's budget are starting to rally their supporters. January 24, 2001
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Ventura Unveils Budget
Gov. Jesse Ventura delivered a strong, Republican-sounding message of tax cuts and limited spending in his two-year, $27.3 billion budget.January 23, 2001
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A Budget with 'A Republican Look'
Gov. Jesse Ventura is proposing a two-year, $27 billion budget that focuses on tax cuts and limited spending. Initial reaction at the Capitol ranged from Republican glee over the size of the tax cuts to DFL concern that there's not enough money for education, transportation and the environment. January 23, 2001
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Legislators Brace for Abortion Fight
Several thousand abortion opponents demonstrated on the steps of the state Capitol to mark the 28th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. The crowd cheered the new political landscape, in particular the swearing-in of President George W. Bush, and promised to push for more restrictions on the procedure. But groups who support legal access to abortion are vowing not to give up the fight. January 22, 2001
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Gauging Ventura's Contributions
Minnesota's experiment in tripartite government begins its third year this month, and Gov. Jesse Ventura says the system is a success. But leaders in the state Legislature say the governor has yet to make his mark in any fundamental sense and that it's too soon to reach a verdict on Minnesota's peculiar arrangement. January 16, 2001
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Bill Seeks to Uncover Racial Profiling in Minnesota
A state legislator plans to introduce a bill that will help determine if racial profiling occurs in Minnesota. Rep. Rich Stanek, DFL-Maple Grove, says the measure will provide financial help for police departments that wish to document the race of the people its officers pull over in traffic stops. However, critics of the proposal say without mandating racial data collection, the bill has no teeth. (1/9/01)
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Reformers Poised for Campaign Finance Assault
Supporters of campaign finance reform say the 2001 session may be the best chance in years to pass significant changes. Gov. Jesse Ventura and leaders in both parties say they want to reduce the amount of money flowing into politics. (1/9/01)
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Ventura's Tax Plan: Dead on Arrival?
The reaction at the Capitol to Gov. Ventura's proposal to expand the sales tax to services has been almost universally negative from both sides of the aisle, although economists say the idea makes sense. (1/5/01)
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Ventura Highlights Tax Reform in State of State Address
Gov. Jesse Ventura used his second State of the State address to call for major tax cuts and government reform. Ventura wants to cut property, income and sales taxes, and change the way the Legislature does business. The governor has his work cut out for him to sell a bold agenda. (1/4/01)
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Freshmen Take Office
Mark Dayton, Betty McCollum, and Mark Kennedy become the latest immigrants to the national stage. All three were sworn into office on January 3rd. (1/4/01)
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Minnesota Legislature Opens Session
The 2001 legislative session got underway Wednesday with Democrats and Republicans sparring in the House. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Gov. Ventura picked up his first party ally. (1/3/01)
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DECEMBER 2000

Lawmakers Stand on Shifting Political Ground
The major players are the same for the 2001 legislative session: a Republican-controlled House, a Senate dominated by Democrats, and an independent governor who answers to neither party. As Minnesota's experiment with tri-partisan government enters its third year, the political dynamics are shifting.(12/29/00)
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Session 2001: The Property Tax Debate
Gov. Ventura has recommended a sweeping reform of Minnesota's property tax system, removing general education funding from the property tax system. His vision faces tough sledding at the Capitol. (12/27/00)
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Session 2001: Abortion
Anti-abortion legislation is sure to come up in the Legislature in 2001 Both chambers in the Minnesota Legislature are controlled by legislators opposed to legalized abortion. The only question is where the legislation will appear, and when. (12/27/00)
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Session 2001: Education
Lawmakers will tackle proposals on classroom funding, alternative pay systems for teachers and school accountability. They could also end up going back to the drawing board on the Profile of Learning graduation standards.(12/27/00)
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Session 2001: The Budget
Gov. Jesse Ventura will reveal his budget in late January, a budget he's spent months preparing. Political observers say the governor's second budget will define his administration by showing his top priorities. (12/27/00)
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Session 2001: Redistricting
State lawmakers will redraw legislative and congressional boundaries to match shifting populations. Drawing a map is the easy part, but since the new districts will affect the balance of political power until 2010, drawing a map that all parties can accept may take years. (12/27/00)
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