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January 6 - 10, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Jan. 6, 2003 |
Pawlenty to be sworn into office
Later today, a policy wonk and amateur hockey player will replace a loud-mouthed former professional wrestler as Minnesota's governor. Republican Tim Pawlenty will take the oath of office at noon, turning Jesse Ventura into a former governor. Pawlenty's oath begins a week of inaugural activities that organizers expect to be a low-key celebration of Minnesota life. Joining us on the line is Molly Sigel, inaugural coordinator who helped plan the week's activities.
A new "old-fashioned" doctor
In an age when many patients complain about paying too much money for too little time with their doctors, a Minnesota physician is trying something different. Dr. Susan Rutten considers herself an old-fashioned country doctor. Rutten makes house calls, and her patients pay her in cash. Even though she doesn't take insurance, she provides affordable healthcare by keeping her costs low. Dr. Rutten hopes her work inspires other doctors to consider a more patient-focused approach. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has more in this story.
Monday Markets
Chris Farrell, Minnesota Public Radio's chief economics correspondent, discusses the latest layoffs and other economic news.
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Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003 |
Pawlenty steps in, big challenge at hand
Republican Tim Pawlenty is now the 38th person to hold the office of Minnesota governor. Pawlenty and the state's other constitutional officers were sworn in during a ceremony yesterday at the Landmark Center in downtown St. Paul. Gov. Pawlenty inherits a projected $4.5 billion budget deficit, and his closest advisor says he's prepared for the challenge. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Legislature begins 2003 session
The 83rd Minnesota Legislature convenes Tuesday at noon. Little action is expected on the first day of the session, but behind closed doors lawmakers and the new Pawlenty administration are already struggling to make a down payment on closing a projected $4.5 billion hole in the state budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
State legislative leaders see challenge ahead
The Minnesota Legislature will open its 2003 session later today. The biggest challenge facing lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty is a looming $4.5 billion budget shortfall. That shortfall is likely to affect most everything else that happens at the Capitol this session, from transportation and education to social services. Joining us now are two lawmakers, new Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger and House Speaker Steve Sviggum.
Coleman to take oath
Sen.-elect Norm Coleman will be sworn in later today in a ceremony in Washington, D.C.. Coleman, a Republican, takes the seat held by the late Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone, who was killed in a plane crash just 11 days before the November election. Coleman went on to defeat Wellstone's replacement on the ballot, Vice President Walter Mondale. In the U.S. Senate, Coleman will be part of a new, and narrow, Republican majority. Joining us on the line is MPR's Mark Zdechlik.
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Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003 |
Pawlenty administration's education post hard to fill
Gov. Tim Pawlenty began his term in office this week with several key cabinet positions still vacant. The Republican governor is pushing for big changes in K-12 education, but he has yet to name an education commissioner to carry out that agenda. Representatives of state education groups have some widely divergent opinions on the type of person needed to lead the Department of Children, Families and Learning. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
St. Cloud schools struggle with budgets
State lawmakers won't be the only ones struggling with budget deficits this spring. Hundreds of school districts, bound by law to balance their books, are heading into the painful process of cutting the budget. Closing schools is one of the more drastic ways districts can save money, and they don't do it often. Minneapolis and North St. Paul have closed one building each in recent years. But in St. Cloud, officials could decide tonight to close three small elementary schools. Mainstreet Radio's Jeff Horwich has that story.
First contentious issue at Capitol is anti-terrorism
Even before the opening gavel of the 2003 Minnesota legislative session, lawmakers were already testing their political messages. Yesterday, House DFLers floated a pair of themes linking state assistance to cities and counties with terrorism preparedness. But the Pawlenty administration and House Republicans say they are ready to confront the Democrats' criticisms. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Concealed handguns to be debated this session
Supporters of a bill that would allow most Minnesota adults to carry concealed handguns believe they have enough votes in the House and Senate for the bill to become law this year. Gun rights advocates say current law is not fair because law enforcement officials have the right to refuse a permit for no reason. In the meantime, gun control advocates say they will continue to fight the legislation. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Coleman and Kline sworn in to office
Congress convened yesterday with a long list of newly elected lawmakers, including two freshman from Minnesota. Republican Norm Coleman officially took his place in the Senate, succeeding Democrat Paul Wellstone. Another Minnesota Republican, John Kline, was sworn into the House of Representatives, replacing Democrat Bill Luther. Coleman and Kline join a Congress set to immediately begin work toward rebuilding the nation's economy amid growing international tension and what appears to be the increasing likelihood of war with Iraq. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
John Kline on becoming a congressman
Residents in Minnesota's Second Congressional District have a new congressman. Republican John Kline was sworn into office yesterday. Kline defeated incumbent Democrat Bill Luther in the November election, after redistricting shifted the Second District to primarily the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities. Kline is an ex-Marine and is hoping to get on the House Armed Services Committee. Joining us on the line is Congressman John Kline.
Study on felons and voting
There may have been more Democrats in the U.S. Senate and two different U.S. presidents if felons and ex-felons were able to vote, according to a new study by a sociology professor at the University of Minnesota. Chris Uggen, along with a sociologist at Northwestern University, examined Senate and presidential elections back to the early 1970s. They used models to determine how felons and ex-felons would have voted, and then considered how those votes would have affected each election result. Their study is published in the current issue of the American Sociological Review. Professor Chris Uggen joins us now.
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Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003 |
Pawlenty reiterates no taxes pledge to Chamber
Gov. Tim Pawlenty assured a group of business leaders last night that he will not raise taxes to fix the state's $4.5 billion deficit. Speaking at a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce dinner, Pawlenty said business owners ca not afford another tax increase. He said it is important for lawmakers to hold the line on taxes, lower the cost of health care and introduce tort reform. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
State prisons could be full by July
Corrections officials told state lawmakers that the prison population is rising so fast, the state could run out of prison beds as soon as July. They also said yesterday that new projections show the increasing number of prisoners are projected to be enough to fill two new prisons by 2010. No new prisons are planned -- and officials say there wouldn't be time to build them now. Last week, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the Department of Corrections could expect budget cuts just like every other department. Dennis Benson is the Deputy Commissioner of that department.
College applications up in record numbers
High school students are applying to Minnesota colleges in record numbers. Freshman applications at Minnesota State-Mankato are up 55 percent over last year. And at Bemidji State University and St. Cloud State University applications are up about 38 percent. The University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus received more than 16-thousand applications, up 22 percent over last year. Joining us now is Wayne Sigler, Director of Admissions at the University of Minnesota.
Better oversight of lands for ATVs needed
A report from the state Office of the Legislative Auditor is calling for better oversight of motorized vehicle trails on state lands. Though the trail management issue has been contentious, both supporters and critics of motorized trail use are in general agreement with the report's findings and recommendations. The report was presented yesterday to the Legislative Audit Commission. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Groups meet today on chronic wasting disease
Interested groups from around the state will meet today to discuss possible legislative changes in managing the spread of chronic wasting disease. A captive elk in central Minnesota tested positive for the disease late last summer. But so far the disease has yet to surface in the state's wild deer population. Experts will present new policy ideas designed to keep the disease from spreading. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
State's congressional delegation split on war and taxes
As the 108th Congress begins work, Republicans and Democrats are sharply divided over how to to revive the economy. Democrats say President Bush is trying to cut taxes for the wealthy under the guise of an economic stimulus plan. Some Republicans are accusing Democrats of class warfare as they look ahead toward the next round of elections. The heated debate over the U.S. economy comes against the backdrop of escalating international tensions and a growing threat of war with Iraq. For the first time in years, Minnesota's delegation is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats and not surprisingly, there are sharp, party-line divides about approaches to domestic and international policy. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik checked in with several Minnesotans in Congress and he has this report from Washington.
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Friday, Jan. 10, 2003 |
Pheasants Forever makes a home for wildlife
Land may be forever, but what grows on the land isn't. Thousands of acres of Minnesota farmland each year are being converted back to a natural state. Private land owners, non-profit groups and government are all part of the effort. Hunting organizations are especially active. One group, Pheasants Forever, which started in Minnesota, has bought 85-thousand acres nationwide. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Pawlenty wins inaugural hockey game
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's inaugural hockey game went in his favor. His Team Minnesota won 6-2 over the Minnesota Old-Timers, a team led by former DFL Gov. Wendell Anderson. Pawlenty said playing hockey at the Wakota Arena in his hometown of South St. Paul was a happy event. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Bonding bills introduced at the Legislature
Two dramatically different bills that would provide money for building projects in Minnesota have been introduced at the Legislature. A bill brought fourth by Senate Democrats would provide $350 million for a wide variety of projects, all of which were vetoed by Gov. Ventura last year. The list includes over $48 million for projects at the University of Minnesota, $50 million for Minnesota State College and Universities, and $24 million for a new Guthrie Theatre facility. In the House, Republicans introduced a transportation bonding bill yesterday that would provide one billion dollars over the next four years, primarily for road construction. Joining us now are the chairs of the Capitol Investment committees, Republican Rep. Phil Krinkie and DFL Sen. Keith Langseth.
Old hockey rivalry draws big crowd in northern Minnesota
Last night in South St. Paul, at a hockey game that was scheduled as part of the inaugural week festivities, a team led by Gov. Tim Pawlenty defeated former Gov. Wendell Anderson's Minnesota Old-Timers 6-2. The game was just for fun, but meanwhile up near the Canadian border, a more serious hockey game packed thousands of people into an arena in Warroad. The Roseau Rams traveled there to take on their arch-rival, the Warroad Warriors. The Warriors who won the game 4-1. Roseau and Warroad have one the oldest rivalries in Minnesota sports, and we'll be in Roseau for a special broadcast when those teams meet again on Jan. 28th. Joining us on the line is Myron Dieter, reporter with the Roseau Times Region.
Suit says Northwest Airlines should have had debrillator
Northwest Airlines is being sued for not having a heart defibrillator on one of its planes during an incident back in 1999. The plaintiff's lawyers say the airline was negligent for not having defibrillators on board. The lawsuit is the topic of an article in this week's edition of The Business Journal." Andrew Tellijohn is the reporter who wrote the article. He says the story begins with a man who had heart trouble on a flight home.
Minnesota weather
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley discusses this week's record-setting warm temperatures.
Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts looks at art and artists around the state.
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