Monday, February 26

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 surplus to have shrunk when state finance officials release the latest revenue forecast on Wednesday. The last 18 forecasts have underestimated the strength of Minnesota's economy, prompting some lawmakers to question why forecasters can't get it right. But as Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports, coming up with the numbers is a tricky business.

Icy roads, high winds and drifting snow made traveling difficult this weekend for most people around the state. Poor driving conditions led to a record number of crashes in the metro area, and Minnesota Department of Transportation officials were challenged by the futility of keeping the roads clear of snow blown by strong northerly winds. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

Foreign Skiers dominated Saturday's Birkebeiner Cross-Country ski race in Hayward Wisconsin. Italian Gianantonio Zanetel won the men's 52-kilometer, or 34-mile race. Russian Nadezhada Slessareva was the women's champion at the same distance. More than three inches of fresh snow slowed the athletes down considerably, the leaders were almost 30 minutes off their normal pace. But the tough conditions were not enough to keep more than 7,000 skiiers from showing up to race. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Feidt reports.

The Capitol swings into another week of work with the anticipation of a new budget forecast. The amount of money projected to come into the state's budget is expected to be down from the last forecast, which put this year's surplus at over $900 million. But how how much money will be available for tax cuts, rebates and spending increases is a topic of speculation at the Capitol. Joining us on the line is Laura McCallum, MPR's capitol bureau chief.

MPR's Chief Economic Correspondent joins us with a look ahead at the markets.

The shadowy world of corporate spying is receiving attention because of a dispute between Kraft Foods and Schwans, which is based in Marshall, Minnesota. The two companies compete in the frozen pizza market, where Kraft sells brands like Tombstone, and Schwan sells Red Baron, and Tony's pizzas. Kraft sued Schwan's last week, saying Schwan obtained trade secrets when it hired a man who previously worked for Kraft. Joining us on the line is author Marc Barry, who wrote a book titled Spooked: Espionage in Corporate America, where he devotes one chapter on the contest between Kraft and Schwan's.

A new revenue forecast is due to be released tomorrow. Once lawmakers see that forecast, they'll have a better idea of how much money is available for state spending. One of the things that Governor Ventura would to allocate money for is improvements to the Governor's mansion on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. In his bonding bill, the governor is asking for $4 million to renovate the residence. I visited the 90-year-old mansion with Residence Manager Dan Creed, to see what needs to be done. Creed says Ventura isn't the first governor to ask for money to fix up the place and some of the needed repairs go back many years.

Governor Jesse Ventura says if he seeks another term in office, he'll campaign without raising or spending a single dollar. Ventura told a National Press Club audience yesterday that if he can't win re-election on the strength of his record, he doesn't want the job. Political observers are calling the pledge a stunt, but they're not ready to say it won't be effective. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

Out in Washington, the governor has been calling for the federal government to pick up a bigger share of special-education costs. Over the weekend, Ventura got a round of applause from other governors when he questioned Education Secretary Rod Paige about special-education funding. Ventura says the government once promised to cover 40 percent of federally-mandated special-ed costs, and states would benefit if the government would live up to its promise. Joining us to talk about special education budgets on the local level is Dr. Don Helmstetter, superintendent of the Spring Lake Park school district.

The 3M Corporation is giving the University of Minnesota $15 million. The money will be used to promote science and technology by attracting top students and expanding the Carlson School of Management. David Powell is a vice president of marketing for 3M. He says there are several reasons why the 3M Foundation decided to make this gift.

A handpicked committee of Minnesota educators is calling for limited modifications to the Profile of Learning graduation standards. The educators presented their recommendations last night to the state Senate Education Committee, but it remains unclear if lawmakers are willing to tackle the controversial standards debate again this year. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

Kind of like the winter we're living through this year, the stadium debate seems like it will never go away. Yes, it's become as much a part of Minnesota's landscape as snow drifts and Media Jackals, and it's about to explode on the scene again. Soon, the Twins are expected to introduce a new ballpark finance plan, with more private money in the proposal than ever. The Vikings will tag along with their own wish list. Minnesota Public Radio's sports commentator Jay Weiner is here to prepare us for the debate.

State officials release their latest revenue forecast this morning, and lawmakers expect it to show the state's budget surplus shrinking from a projected $3 billion over the two and a half years to between $2 billion and $2.6 billion. A smaller surplus means the Governor and the Legislature will have less money available for permanent tax cuts and spending increases. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.

President George W. Bush outlined his budget priorities last night in his first major address to Congress and the country. Bush says the projected $6 trillion federal surplus is big enough to pay down the national debt, fund education and other priorities, set aside $1trillion for contingency needs, and still have money left over for a major tax cut. Members of Minnesota's Democrat-dominated congressional delegation are skeptical the Republican president's wish list will pass in its entirety. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

On this day last year the high temperature in the Twin Cities was 55 degrees and the most popular "winter" sports were bike riding and golf. This year's return to more "normal" weather has inspired commentator Dale Connelly to read Robert Frost and compose his own poem, Stopping By Links On A Snowy Evening.

A new economic forecast that predicts a drop in the state's projected surplus means lawmakers and interest groups will have to reconsider some of their budget proposals. But most say the dip of just over $600 million won't force a major change in priorities; Governor Jesse Ventura says the new numbers actually strengthen his case for major tax relief and reform. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo explains.

An appointed citizens group gives recommendations today to the Minneapolis City Council about how to move forward to secure a new home for the Minnesota Twins. As Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports, the committee doesn't name specific sites or set a price tag for a stadium, but it does provide a framework it says is essential to keep baseball in the city.

Mark Seely tells us that this February will rank as the 15th coldest statewide since 1895; most people were thankful to see the month come to an end.

Nearly 10,000 Northwest Airlines mechanics and aircraft cleaners are taking a strike vote today. It's the latest step in a bitter contract dispute that's dragged on for four and a half years. But President Bush says he won't allow the union to strike until at least May in hopes of avoiding damage to the nation's economy. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik spoke with some members of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association about their wage increase demands and why so many of them will likely cast pro-strike ballots today.