Monday, April 12

The pace at the Capitol will quicken this week. With just five weeks left until the legislature is set to adjourn, both the House and Senate are in session every day, and legislators are working to meet a Friday deadline to pass major spending bills out of committee. Laura McCallum covers the Capitol for MPR, and joins me now.

Some of the labs vandalized a week ago at the University of Minnesota are back up and running. But some researchers lost valuable data that could set their work back for months or possibly years. A group called the Animal Liberation Front took credit for breaking into two buildings at the U, removing rats, mice, pigeons and salamanders, and smashing computers and other equipment. The labs were researching cures for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer and other diseases. Jo Matson is administrator for the Department of Psychology.

Stock traders will watch for earnings reports this week and Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Farrell says expectations are high.

Voters in Minnesota's southeastern-most senate district go to the polls tomorrow in a special election. They'll fill the seat DFL senator Steve Morse left to become assistant commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. As Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports, the three candidates on the ballot are not far apart on the issues.

It's nail biting time for Twin Cities rail boosters. Federal officials reviewing Minnesota's request for money for the Hiawatha Avenue light rail line assume the state will share the cost. But Last week, members of a key Minnesota House committee approved a transpiration bill which does not include the $60 million the governor and other rail supporters seek. A version of the bill still alive in the Senate includes the money. Light rail supporters worry that failure to win state money will push Minnesota to the back of the funding line. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

This week marks Governor Jesse Ventura's 100th day in office. The former wrestler is arguably the country's most well-known governor, and so far he's riding high in the opinion polls. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports, Ventura has encountered some rough spots in his transition from celebrity-candidate to celebrity-governor.

Midwest farmers have had a decades long love affair with two crops: corn and soybeans. But rising chemical and fertilizer costs coupled with sinking grain prices have soured the attraction. As the corn/soybean profit engine runs out of gas, farmers are scrambling for alternatives. As they get ready for another year of economic uncertainty, the battle cry "get big or get out" is being stood on its head by a third alternative, "get small". Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.

A new Minnesota Public Radio/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows most Minnesotans still think highly of Governor Ventura after his first 100 days in office. His approval rating has dipped significantly from the last poll taken before he took office, but he still gets high marks from a majority of voters. Most like his plain spoken style and agree with him that people should rely on themselves - not government - to solve their problems. But a significant number of people also say it's too soon to judge the governor's performance, and they'll wait before they make up their minds about Ventura. Minnesota Public Radio's senior political editor Mike Mulcahy reports.

You can get a pretty good sense for Governor Ventura's political ideology by reading quotes on his official web site like "you can't legislate against stupidity." Professor James Farr teaches courses on political ideology and citizen education at the University of Minnesota. He says the governor's political philosophy is something of a hybrid.

The time between snowmelt and spring growth is Minnesota's most dangerous fire season. Every year thousands of acres burn, and tens-of-thousands of dollars are spent controlling the flames. But this year, an agreement between three Midwest states and two Canadian provinces could mean better firefighting for all and a strange new sight on Minnesota lakes. Leif Enger of Mainstreet Radio reports.

Governor Ventura has warned legislators that he has no intention of calling a special legislative session if they don't finish major tax and spending bills by the May 17 adjournment date. Ventura is especially concerned with the fate of his tax rebate legislation, which has been stuck in a conference committee for two months. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.

Fewer Minnesota taxpayers are opting to make a donation on their state tax returns to the Department of Natural Resources' non-game wildlife fund. The so-called 'chickadee check-off' began in 1980. The money makes up 90 percent of the annual budget of a DNR program that supports threatened species in Minnesota. Nancy Hunder is with the DNR non-game wildlife program.

Phone calls and e-mails are flowing into the offices of Minnesota Legislators in response to a plea by Governor Ventura. 7000 e-mails were sent to people who had signed up for "Jesse-net" on the Governor's campaign web site. The e-mails encouraged recipients to lobby Representatives Tom Workman and Carol Molnau in support of money for light rail transit. Ventura's Director of Internet Operations Phil Madsen says this is the first time the Ventura administration has tried this strategy. Representative Carol Molnau discusses the e-mails she is receiving and how useful that form of communication is.

The long-stalled debate over tax relief took a surprising turn last night when House DFLers joined forces with the Republican majority to approve across-the-board income rate tax cuts. The DFL proposal also includes the Senate's version of one-time sales tax rebates and more than $70 million in property tax aid for farmers. The House DFLers' sudden cooperativeness took Republican leaders by surprise - and put Senate DFLers on the defensive. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.

A new Minnesota Public Radio/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows Minnesotans evenly divided over whether to return the state's entire budget surplus to taxpayers, or spend a "big portion" of the surplus on education, transportation and crime prevention. When it comes to the state's tobacco settlement, 72 percent of poll respondents support a plan to set aside $1.3 billion of the tobacco money in endowments for anti-smoking campaigns and other programs. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste has the story.

Jesse Ventura became CEO of a $24 billion business when he was sworn in as Governor 100 days ago. Ventura's management style is simple - he says he'll hire the best people to run state agencies and give them the authority to carry out his policies. It's a shift from previous administrations, and one that's getting largely positive reviews from his staff and legislative leaders. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

Governor Jesse Ventura went head-to-head with critics of his transportation programs yesterday. During a speech in downtown Minneapolis, members of the Libertarian party heckled the governor for his support of light-rail transit in the Twin Cities. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

After 14 years at the helm, PattiRai Rudolph passes the Morning Edition Technical Director's torch to Trisha Dehler.

Governor Ventura and Senate DFLers spent yesterday down-playing the significance of the surprise tax cut passed by the Minnesota House. House DFLers and Republicans joined forces to approve tax cuts and rebates worth more that $1.4 billion a year but Ventura and Senate leaders say the House went too far. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste reports.

Governor Ventura has named thirteen new people to the sixteen member Metropolitan Council, dramatically changing the makeup of the regional body. He chose people from business, inner city neighborhoods, agriculture and minority groups. The new Council includes the first two African-American appointments in the Ventura administration. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.

A Minnesota Public Radio/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll finds fewer than ten percent of those polled want to scrap the Profile of Learning, a new set of high school graduation standards. Most Minnesotans polled would rather see the Profile changed, or given more time to work. The results run counter to sentiment in the Minnesota House, which voted earlier this year to scrap the Profile entirely. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

Arsenic in drinking water is a growing concern among environmental epidemiologists in Minnesota. It's estimated that two-thirds of all drinking wells in the state exceed acceptable levels for arsenic set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The University of Minnesota's Water Resources Center held a conference yesterday in Morris to discuss the potential dangers of naturally-occuring arsenic and possible solutions to the problem. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms has the story.

During last fall's campaign, Governor Jesse Ventura often talked about lower taxes and smaller government, positions that struck a chord with business leaders. But after the governor's first 100 days, there's some cautious grumbling in the business community, that they heard a Republican philosophy but are seeing Democratic policies. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.

As of last Friday, the United States Treasury had already issued nearly $94 billion worth of federal income tax refunds. That's a 21 percent increase over the same period last year. The IRS says the average refund of has also increased 15 percent to $1,563 from the same time last year. Eric Smith is a spokesman for the IRS in Minnesota.

Mid-April is an exciting time for many sports fans. Not because the baseball season is underway. Not because the basketball and hockey playoffs are about to begin. No, the event the captures the attention of the avid fan is the impending NFL player draft which will be held this Saturday. MPR Sports Commentator Jay Weiner has some thoughts on this annual ritual.

The Minnesota House has passed a $3.3 billion transportation bill. Two proposals heavily favored by Governor Jesse Ventura - light-rail transit and reducing license tab fees - were conspicuously absent. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

A Minnesota Public Radio/St. Paul Pioneer Press poll shows Minnesotans overwhelmingly consider the allegations involving the university of Minnesota men's basketball program to be serious, but most respondents do not support dramatic changes in big-time college sports. Minnesota public radio's William Wilcoxen has more.

This weekend a top official from the U.S. Department of Justice will be in the Twin Cities to hear from farmers concerned about dropping prices and growing consolidation in agri-business. Many farmers struggling to get by, suspect one reason the prices they're being offered for their crops and livestock are so low is because there are fewer companies competing for their business. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.

In his first 100 days in office, Governor Jesse Ventura has prided himself on speaking his mind. But sometimes speaking his mind has gotten Ventura in trouble. On several occasions, critics have said the governor's comments reflect a lack of sensitivity on issues pertaining to single mothers and minorities. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen Louise Boothe explains.

Writer Joel Kostman considers himself a craftsman of sorts. He is a locksmith. And in his book, Keys to the City: Tales of a New York City Locksmith, he tells 14 true stories about the people he meets in the course of doing his job. He was in Twin Cities recently and talked to Minnesota Public Radio's Jim Bickal about the book which has just come out in paperback.

It's been a rough week for Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe. The DFLers lost a second special election for the seat from the Winona area - their second special election loss in as many weeks. And on Tuesday night, his fellow DFLers in the House made a surprise move to endorse across-the-board income tax cuts, something Moe and the Senate DFL has been resisting. Minnesota Public Radio's Martin Kaste joins us now to talk about the week.

Meteorologist Mark Seeley says the National Weather Service is a good value for $2.50 per taxpayer.