Monday, May 21

The Minnesota Nurses Association says it will finish sending out strike notices to 12 Twin Cities Hospitals today. The procedure allows the 7,700 nurses to strike on June 1, one day after their contract runs out. Both the union and hospitals expect a federal mediator to call them back to the bargaining table this week, but the two groups also say they're going forward with their strike contingency plans. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater is not among the hospitals whose nurses may strike. But officials at the hospital are preparing for possible effects from the strike. Curt Geissler is the chief operating officer at Lakeview Hospital, and he's on the line now.

The curtain falls on the 2001 legislative session at midnight tonight, and legislative leaders have yet to resolve significant differences on tax and spending issues. In a statement issued over the weekend, Governor Jesse Ventura acknowledged a special session will be necessary to prevent a government shutdown in July. Lawmakers however, say they're making steady progress on resolving the deadlock, which now focuses mainly on property tax reform. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

As the weekend came and went without a budget agreement from House and Senate leaders, anxiety grew among many of those who rely on state funding. Though talks today could bring a deal, legislator's won't make tonight's deadline. The budget limbo has government agencies nervous about what final spending proposals will look like. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.

MPR's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum joins us with analysis of why the session has been a meltdown.

One of many issues that are still in limbo because of the statemate is what, if anything, to do about a new Twins stadium. Presumed dead just a month ago, a stadium bill has risen from the ashes, thanks in part to the team's hot start this season. Both the House and Senate could hear stadium bills on the floor today. Commentator Tom Goldstein is the editor and publisher of Elysian Fields Quarterly, a baseball literature journal. He's now convinced that a stadium bill will eventually pass, and says he's saddened by the opportunity that will be lost when that happens.

MPR's Chris Farrell is here with an update on the economy.

The 2001 legislative session gaveled to a close at midnight last night with action on only one of eight major spending measures and no tax bill. Lawmakers resume negotiations today in preparation for a special session Governor Jesse Ventura is expected to call to avoid a government shutdown on July 1. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

While state lawmakers put off all major spending bills until a yet to be scheduled special session, they did pass one major policy bill before last night's constitutional deadline for adjournment. The Energy Security and Reliability Act aims to avert a projected energy shortage by streamlining power plant and power line construction. The bill includes provisions for conservation and renewable energy sources, but some environmentalists say it doesn't go far enough. Minnesota Public Radio's Helms reports.

Minnesota school district officials still don't know how much the Legislature will spend on K-12 education, but they're finalizing budgets for the coming year with low expectations. St. Paul school district leaders unveiled a proposed budget last night that includes across the board cuts for schools and the district administration. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.

Nurses at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale upset about last week's vote to approve a new three-year contract are asking for a recount. North Memorial was the only one of thirteen hospitals to approve a contract. Twelve other hospitals are preparing for a possible strike on June 1. A spokeswoman for the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership says the nurse's union and hospitals will likely meet with a federal mediator on Thursday. But hospitals are moving forward with their strike preparations, and are looking to hire 4,000 replacement nurses in order to stay open. Some of those replacements could come from outside the state. Shirley Brekken is the executive director of the Minnesota Board of Nursing. She's on the line now.

If nurses in the Twin Cities do strike, it will be the first time in 17 years. In 1984, registered nurses in the metro area were on the picket line for 39 days. We went back into our archives to see what happened.

The Minnesota legislature adjourned last night without finishing its work. One big sticking point is how to distribute property taxes. Lawmakers will resume negotiations today in expectation of a special session. Dee Long is a former speaker of the House, and former tax committee chair. She says the House and Senate are having trouble agreeing in part because of a big difference in what kind of property tax relief they'd like to see.

The Minnesota Twins open a two-game set against the Seattle Mariners at the Metrodome tonight. The series pits the Twins against the only team in the majors with a better record than Minnesota. The Twins lead the American League Central division by a half game over the Cleveland Indians. Their best pitcher, Brad Radke, will try for his eighth victory of the year tonight. LaVelle Neal covers the Twins for the Star Tribune. He's on the line now.

Medtronic reported strong year-end earnings yesterday, despite a slowdown in some of its key businesses. The Fridley-based medical device company also said it will trim its workforce by about 450 jobs, or less than 2 percent of the worldwide total. Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg reports.

Sixty years ago tomorrow, an American legend was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Robert Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan, would become one of the century's most influential artists. Some of the musicians who felt his influence have collaborated to create a CD in honor of his birthday. John Koerner first met Dylan in 1959, when they both were part of an emerging folk scene in Minneapolis.

Minnesota's population is older than it was ten years ago, according to United States Census figures released today. The data also reveal Minnesotan's are much more likely to own their homes than residents in the rest of the nation. In addition, the census found the dramatic increase in the state's Hispanic population is made up largely of people of Mexican heritage. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.

State legislative leaders say they're making significant progress on breaking this year's budget logjam. Later today, House Republicans are set to respond to a Senate offer made last night. Both sides characterize the discussion as "very serious." Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.

The state legislature's delay in passing tax and spending bills is leaving many school district budgets across the state in limbo. The Minnesota House and Senate couldn't agree on a K-12 spending bill by the constitutional deadline set Monday night. Without knowing how much money they'll get from the state, many school districts are unsure how to staff their schools next year. Joining us on the line is Barbara Pulliam, the superintendent of the St. Louis Park school district.

New numbers from the United States Census confirm what Minnesota renters and prospective home buyers already know: it's tough to find housing. Ted Mondale is chairman of the Metropolitan Council. He says there is good news, and bad news, in the numbers.

Negotiators with the Minnesota Nurses Association and 12 Twin Cities hospitals will resume talks today about a new contract. The 7,700 nurses involved have notified the hospitals that they'll strike if they don't get the contract they want by June 1. Both sides are optimistic they can avert a strike if negotiations go well over the next two days. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.

The city of St. Paul is pursuing legal steps that could lead to the shutdown of the Gopher State Ethanol plant that's been the source of odor and noise complaints since last summer. Gopher State officials say the city should help solve the problems instead of fighting the plant in court. But after an update from St. Paul staff yesterday), some city council members reaffirmed their view that the plant should be closed until the problems are eliminated. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.

An analysis of traffic-stop data collected by St. Paul Police confirms that people of color in St. Paul are more likely than whites to be stopped and searched by police officers. The report by the University of Minnesota's Institute on Race and Poverty was released as the city council was waiting for Chief William Finney to present details of steps his department is taking to address racial profiling. The Chief told the council Wednesday that they would have to wait a little longer. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.

New census figures show Minnesota is getting older. And some parts are older than others. Aitkin County, in the center of the state, has the highest median age in the state, 46.5 years. Cook County in far northeastern Minnesota is second with a median age of 44. Main Street Radio's Stephanie Hemphill visited the Arrowhead to see how Cook County is coping with its aging population and preparing for increasing numbers of elderly peoplein the future.

A federal judge has handed Minnesota's light-rail line a victory over Excel Energy. The energy company sued to avoid the cost of moving its utility lines, but United States District Judge John Tunheim ordered the company to relocate its in lines downtown Minneapolis beginning immediately. Joining us on the line is Elwyn Tinklenberg, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

Minnesota legislative leaders are still negotiating after failing to reach a budget deal by a self-imposed deadline yesterday. It's now been four days since lawmakers adjorned the 2001 session without passing eight major tax and spending bills. Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum is on the line now.

It's still raining. Following the wettest April in history, Rochester reported 13 rainy days so far this month, and the Twin Cities endured six consecutive days of rain, as cold and rainy weather across the upper midwest continues to test the patience of gardeners, golfers, and construction workers. Mark Seeley is here to tell us what we already know: We're sick of it.

The stalemate continues at the Minnesota legislature. Lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on the tax bill yesterday and Governor Ventura is looking ahead to June 18 when he says union contracts require the state to start sending layoff notices to its employees. Pete Benner is the executive director of AFSCME Council Six, a union that represents 19,000 Minnesota state employees. He's on the line now.

As nurses at 12 Twin Cities hospitals threaten to walk off the job on June 1, some hospitals outside the metro area are preparing to pick up the slack. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.

In the shuffle caused by Vermont Senator James Jeffords decision to leave the Republican Party, South Dakota's senior senator Tom Daschle will become senate majority leader. Democrats haven't led the Senate since 1994. Daschle characterizes his leadership style as "inclusive." Reaction from his generally conservative constituents in South Dakota is mixed,l some say he doesn't represent South Dakota ideals and priorities while others say it's an opportunity for the state. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.