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May 13 - 17, 2002
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Monday, May 13, 2002 |
Lawmakers push for budget deal
House and Senate negotatiors will return to the bargaining table, hoping to remove the last stumbling block to a resolution of the state's budget deficit. Lawmakers met over the weekend and hammered out a deal to cover the remaining $439 million projected shortfall, but have deadlocked over how to replace the state's reserve funds - most of which were drained to balance the budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Ventura has success in fishing opener
Gov. Ventura did not participate in the budget negotiations. He was one of about a million anglers who hit the lakes over the weekend for the walleye fishing season opener. Ventura spent the weekend on Rainy Lake in International Falls, making the most of what could be his last opener as governor. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson has the story.
Free speech and campaigns debated
The U.S. Supreme Court could rule at any time on a case which could dramatically change the tenor of judicial campaigns in at least 30 states, including Minnesota. The court is considering whether to throw out a Minnesota rule that bars judicial candidates from speaking about political and legal issues likely to come before the court. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports on how judicial campaigns may change if the high court strikes down Minnesota's rule.
Art in the 'burbs
Some Twin Cities suburbs are beginning to challenge Minneapolis and St. Paul as places to go for culture and art. That's one of the conclusions of a new report from the McKnight Foundation, which has funded the arts in Minnesota for almost 50 years. Suburbs like Hopkins, Bloomington and Stillwater are emphasizing culture with more spending on arts facilities. Joining us on the line is Rip Rapson, president of the McKnight Foundation.
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Tuesday, May 14, 2002 |
Flooding revisited
Residents of west central Minnesota are thankful for this year's uneventful spring. Last year, a rough winter and wet spring pushed rivers over their banks, flooding communities up and down the Minnesota River Valley. Community leaders say they're tired of fighting floods. They say they've fought two major floods in five years and are ready to make permanent changes to prevent flood damage. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Haskins ordered to repay $815,000
An arbitrator is ordering former men's basketball coach Clem Haskins to repay the University of Minnesota $815,000.
The university sued Haskins to recover the $1.5 million it paid him in 1999 to buy out his contract follwing revelations of academic fraud in the basketball program. University lawyers argued Haskins nullified terms of the buyout because he lied about his involvement in the scandal.
Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Little progress at the Capitol
With a self-imposed deadline looming, House and Senate lawmakers failed to put the finishing touches on a deal to erase the final piece of the state's anticipated budget deficit. Legislative leaders had hoped to pass a compromise by the end of the day today in order to have time to override Gov. Jesse Ventura's potential veto. But as Minnesota Public Radios' Michael Khoo reports, talks ended last night without a deal in hand.
Transportation package stalls
A transportation bill has stalled at the state Capitol, and lawmakers are running out of time to pass one. The DFL-controlled Senate wants a 5-cents-a -gallon gas tax increase, and a portion of the vehicle sales tax to go for transit operations. The Republicans in the House have tentatively offered a 3-cents-a-gallon tax increase with the money for roads only. They also want to sell highway bonds for roads and transit improvements like busways. The Legislature must adjourn by May 20. Joining us on the line is Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg.
Caravan hopes to pressure lawmakers on stadium
A group supporting a new Twins stadium will leave today on a statewide tour designed to generate support for a stadium in the final days of the legislative session. Members from Keep the Twins at Home will visit 24 cities in four days, and will ask Minnesotans to call their legislators to express support for a new Twins home. A Twins stadium plan passed both the House and Senate earlier this session, but lost momentum, in part because the Twins have been reluctant to say how much money they'll chip in. Paul Ridgeway is chairman of "Keep the Twins at Home," and he joins us now.
Luther to run in 2nd District
Democratic Congressman Bill Luther says he will switch districts as he campaigns for a fifth term in office. Luther currently represents Minnesota's 6th District. But he plans to run in the 2nd District rather than face Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy, who was bumped into the 6th by redistricting. Joining us now is Steven Schier, political science professor at Carleton College in Northfield.
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Wednesday, May 15, 2002 |
Lawmakers reach budget deal; Ventura 'disappointed'
Legislative leaders have reached a budget deal, just days before the end of the legislative session. The House and Senate plan to vote on the budget bill Wednesday. It comes up with the money to plug the remaining $439 million budget deficit and begins to replenish the state's reserves. But it doesn't meet some of Governor Ventura's requirements, and he could veto the bill. Legislative leaders also say a transportation funding package appears dead for the session. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Deer kill begins in Wisconsin
Sharpshooters have started killing deer in southwest Wisconsin. They're trying to kill 15,000 animals in an attempt to stop the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. Wildlife managers say it's the only way, ut some people who live in the area say the plan is dangerous. Some experts say this could be a dress rehearsal for what could happen in Minnesota if the disease spreads across the border. We have two reports, beginning with Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally.
Wodele reacts
Joining us now for more on the budget bill is John Wodele, spokesman for Governor Ventura.
Cronic wasting disease puzzles scientists
It seems everyone has a lot of questions about chronic wasting disease -- even the scientists who study it. There's no cure. There's no vaccine. There's no way to test a living animal for the disease. Byron Caughey does research on CWD and some related diseases at a National Institutes of Health lab in Montana. He says CWD is one of the biggest puzzles in microbiology in the past 30 years. Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Julin reports.
St. John's scandal shows need for legal reform, abuse victims say
Legal experts say there is little victims can do in the wake of accusations of sex abuse at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville. Dozens of people have come forward over the years alleging sexual abuse by monks from the central Minnesota abbey. Minnesota's statute of limitations keeps cases of sexual abuse out of the courts once the victim turns 25.
Some victims say if the statute of limitations doesn't change, they'll never see justice or compensation.
Officials at St. John's Abbey say they prefer to keep the cases out of court, saying a trial hurts those involved a second time. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Post has this report.
Honeywell announces layoffs
Honeywell plans to layoff as many as 900 Minnesota workers as it closes four of its Twin Cities advanced circuits facilities. The cuts will end Honeywell's advanced circuits business in Minnesota. The company says an industry-wide crisis is forcing it to reduce capacity.
Minnesota Public Radio's Andrew Haeg has more.
Board pay could jump 46%
The Ramsey County Board is thinking about giving itself a raise of nearly 46 percent next year. The raise, which would increase each commissioner's pay by more than $22,000, was proposed at a board meeting last night. Joining us now is Commissioner Sue Haigh, who proposed the increase.
Star Tribune names editor
The Minneapolis Star Tribune has named a new editor. Anders Gyllenhaal will succeed Tim McGuire, who's will retire next month, having held the top editor position since 1993. Gyllenhaal comes to Minneapolis from Raleigh, N.C., where he's senior vice president and executive editor of The News and Observer. He says he doesn't expect big changes in the paper, but he'll try to figure out new ways to keep up with a changing community.
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Thursday, May 16, 2002 |
Bonding bill hits snag
A deal on a capital investment bill hit a snag late Wednesday, making lawmakers miss a deadline for passing it with enough time to override vetoes. Earlier in the evening, House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on a bill funding $977 million worth of construction projects. But negotiators couldn't agree on the details in time to get the bill to the governor by midnight. Until the bonding bill is resolved, other major issues are on hold. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Met Council tackles sprawl issue
A plan to cut the rate of Twin Cities sprawl in half is headed for public discussion. Consultants hired by the Metropolitan Council say the Twin Cities residents they've talked to support higher density housing, protection of green space and more transportation choices. The Council hired the consultants to predict the impact of 580,000 more Twin Cities residents in the next thirty years. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Minneapolis trade boards reviewed
Several contractors told a Minneapolis City Council committee Wednesday it's time to get rid of the appointed boards that oversee tests for plumbers and various other trade workers in the city. But some union representatives say abolishing the boards is hasty and will lead to shoddy work. The issue of keeping the boards has been batted about for years, but has surfaced again because of the boards' connection to the recent extortion indictment of City Council Member Joe Biernat. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
Keeping the stadium bill alive
While work continues on a bonding bill, proponents of a new stadium for the Twins are working to get a financing package together before the session ends on Monday. A House and Senate conference committee on the ballpark bill has been stalled for weeks because of slow negotiations on the budget. Lawmakers and the Ventura administration have had talks with the Twins about structuring a bill that is acceptable to all sides. The conference committee's co-chairman is Representative Harry Mares.
Potlatch closes doors
Thursday is the last day of activity at the Potlatch mill in Brainerd. The mill has been making paper since 1917, but as of Friday it will sit vacant. A small crew will remain for a few weeks to continue cleaning, and preparing the maze of pipes and presses to sit dormant.
The plant is closing as a result of a non-compete clause in Potlatch's deal to sell its Cloquet facility to a South African paper company, Sappi Limited.
Potlatch was one of Brainerd's largest employers. More than 600 people are losing their jobs. But Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich reports the city, the plant, and the workers are preparing to move on.
Minnesota-Wisconsin tax reciprocity agreement in jeopardy
An agreement that allows people who cross the Minnesota/Wisconsin border for work to file only one state tax return could be in jeopardy. A bill passed in the Minnesota Legislature last night includes $4 million in additional revenue by asking Wisconsin to pay interest on the taxes collected from Wisconsin residents who work in Minnesota. If Wisconsin doesn't agree to the change, the 35-year-old reciprocity arrangement could end. Richard Chandler is Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. He says this is a big issue to people who live along the border between the two states.
Bus, bike or buddy-up
Today is BBOP day - when commuters are encouraged to bus, bike or carpool to work. Here's bicycle commuter Mark Kotz.
Spring Grove sculpture unveiled
Two comic strip characters will be the center of festivities this weekend in Spring Grove, Minn. The town is unveiling bronze sculptures of Ola and Per, two Norwegian-American farmers who endured the usual hardships of immigrants trying to survive in a new country. Peter Rosendahl, a farmer in Spring Grove, created the two characters in his comic strip from 1918 to 1932. The strip has been running continuously since. Joining us now is Karen Grey, a member of the committee organizing this weekend's celebration in Spring Grove.
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Friday, May 17, 2002 |
Legislature puts off unicameral vote
One of Gov. Ventura's key initiatives appears dead for the session. The House sent a proposal for a one-house Legislature back to committee, essentially preventing a floor vote by Monday's deadline to adjourn. Gov. Ventura says the vote shows a lack of courage, and makes him more likely to veto projects in the bonding bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Ventura urges MN firms to export
Just weeks before he heads to China to promote the state, Governor Ventura headed to Alexandria Thursday on a trade mission of sorts. Ventura is encouraging Minnesota business owners to export more of their products to foreign countries. Business owners say increasing exports isn't easy, but those that sell to foreign countries say it's an investment that's paid off. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
Peterson faces challenge
Republican delegates from Minnesota's 7th Congressional District are gathering today in Fergus Falls.
This weekend they'll endorse a candidate to challenge incumbent DFL Congressman Collin Peterson.
Peterson was elected to represent the western Minnesota district in 1990. Since then he's rarely faced a serious challenge. Republicans say this year they intend to make it a race.
Mainstreet Radios Dan Gunderson reports.
Greens meet this weekend
The Green Party of Minnesota will hold its first convention as a major party tomorrow. The party earned that status when Ralph Nader won more than 5 percent of the vote in Minnesota in the 2000 presidential election. At tomorrow's convention in St. Cloud, the party will endorse candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and other public offices. Joining us on the line is Cam Gordon, chairman of the Green Party of Minnesota.
Bancroft expedition begins today
Explorer Ann Bancroft plans to set out later today on a six-week trip across the Great Lakes. Bancroft, a Minnesota native, along with Norwegian explorer Liv Arneson, will begin their trip by kayak from Grand Portage on the northern shore of Lake Superior. They'll paddle about 2,000 miles through lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario before reaching the St. Lawrence Seaway. The two explorers are well-known for their last expedition, in which they became the first women to ski and sail across Antarctica. Ann Bancroft joins us now from Grand Portage.
Tapioca snow
Graupel, soft hail, snow pellets, tapioca snow. What's it all mean? Mark Seeley tells us in this weeks weather update.
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