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January 20 - 24, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, Jan. 20, 2003 |
Rural vs. metro split on display in budget dispute
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's short-term budget fix is moving quickly through the Legislature, but not without some adjustments. House Republicans oppose Pawlenty's proposed ethanol cuts, while Senate Democrats want to restore several proposed cuts, including ethanol and an Iron Range fund. Pawlenty says he worries some lawmakers may not grasp the magnitude of the deficit Minnesota is facing. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
A new transit option comes to Minnesota
PRT, personal rapid transit, has arrived in Minnesota - at least a small version. A 60-foot length of guideway and a PRT vehicle are being assembled in Fridley. Building the prototype marks 30 years of effort by retired University of Minnesota engineering professor Ed Anderson, one of PRT's best known boosters. Personal rapid transit is not new. A system is running in at least one American city. Others, including Minneapolis, are taking a wait-and-see approach. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
Lawmakers working on budget-cutting plans
When Minnesota lawmakers return to the Capitol this week, their main task will be finding a way to balance the budget. Last week, Gov. Pawlenty released his plan for dealing with the $356 million shortfall projected for this fiscal year. Both the House and Senate are working on plans of their own, and the Senate is likely to vote on their proposal this week. Laura McCallum is Minnesota Public Radio's capitol bureau chief. She's on the line now.
New education commissioner could usher in changes
Minnesota's education system could be in for some changes. Last week, Gov. Pawlenty named Cheri Pierson Yecke to head the state's Department of Education. Yecke is the former education secretary of Virginia, and an architect of that state's standards of learning. She will be a key force in determining what replaces Minnesota's Profile of Learning, if the Profile is repealed as Pawlenty hopes. Joe Nathan is the director of the Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota. He says there are differences between the standards in Minnesota and Virginia.
College students learn history of civil rights movement
A group of about 20 students from several Minnesota colleges has just returned from a trip through the American South. The students were enrolled in a class about the history and consequences of the civil right's movement. Their two-week itinerary was a trip through history, taking them to places like Birmingham, Alabama and Memphis, Tennessee. Later today, they'll attend rallies celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Mollie Gabrys, a first-year student at Macalester College who was on the trip.
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Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003 |
Alcohol related issues to surface at Capitol
Although the budget will dominate the 2003 session, other issues are certain to surface. Several bills changing the state's liquor laws will be introduced, and at least one has a good chance of passing. Those who support a lower drunk driving limit say this is the year it could finally pass. They want the legal limit to drop from 1.0 to .08 percent blood alcohol content. Also this session, Minnesota grocers will renew an effort to allow wine sales in grocery stores. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Coffman Union reopens on U of M's Minneapolis campus
University of Minnesota students in the Twin Cities once again have a central gathering spot on the Minneapolis campus. After scattering its students during three years of renovation, the University of Minnesota today opens the doors of its completely remodeled Coffman Memorial Union. Students and staff are praising the $71 million dollar renovation, despite its cost overruns. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
MPR's Chris Farrell on financial markets this week
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the financial markets, and low interest rates making this a good time to buy a house or for businesses to borrow to expand.
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Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003 |
Gov. Pawlenty still wants quick action on budget
Gov. Tim Pawlenty continues to push legislators for quick action on the short-term budget deficit. Yesterday, he sent a letter to lawmakers telling them he will cut government on his own if they do not pass a budget balancing plan for this fiscal year by early February. Lawmakers need to erase a $356 million deficit for the budget cycle that ends in June. The DFL-controled Senate is poised to vote on its budget bill on Thursday. Several House Committees took votes on critical issues yesterday, including cuts to health programs and restoring ethanol subsidies. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Minneapolis school class sizes may go up
School districts across Minnesota are bracing for multimillion-dollar budget shortfalls. Although state funding for public schools has gone up in recent years, many schools are seeing steep increases in health care, special education, and transportation costs. And while Gov. Tim Pawlenty has said he will try to protect K-12 education, the state's projected deficit means districts are not likely to see big increases in the next biennium. In Minneapolis, the district faces a $28 million deficit for the next school year. Superintendent Carol Johnson yesterday proposed a reduction plan which would increase class sizes and cut over 200 classroom teaching positions. David Jennings is the Chief Operating Officer for the Minneapolis Public Schools. He's on the line now.
Northwest posts losses and proceeds with alliance
Northwest, Delta and Continental Airlines announced plans today to go ahead with a marketing alliance over U.S. Department of Transportation objections. The DOT is launching an enforcement action against the plan. Also today, Northwest posted fourth quarter 2002 losses approaching $500 million, bringing the airline's 2002 losses to nearly $800 million. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Abortion sides mark Roe's 30th anniversary
The U.S. Supreme Court's Roe vs Wade decision is 30 years old today. The decision made abortions legal across the country. Here in Minnesota, both sides of the debate will mark the day with marches and commemorations at the state capitol, and then spend the rest of the legislative session lobbying for their ideas. About a quarter of the lawmakers are new members this year, and there's a new governor, Republican Tim Pawlenty. Joining us on the line is Scott Fishbach, executive director of the Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, and Sara Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota and South Dakota.
A new way for Minnesota Seniors to get Canadian-priced drugs
Seniors in Minnesota have a new way to get cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. The Minnesota Senior Federation set up the Canadian Prescription Drug Reimportation program, and say seniors who tried it as part of a pilot program saved up to 45 percent. Joining us on the line is Miriam Reibold, chair of the Minnesota Senior Federation.
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Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003 |
Health disparities in Hennepin County
A new survey shows Hennepin county adults are generally healthy, but it finds large racial and ethnic disparities in the health of its residents. The survey, called the SHAPE survey, is the result of nearly ten thousand interviews conducted between January and August of 2002. County commissioners, hospital administrators, and others discussed the data and possible solutions at a conference yesterday. Todd Monson is the acting director of Hennepin County Community Health Department. He's on the line now.
Somali Meals on Wheels
Last fall, Olmsted County launched Somali Meals on Wheels. The Rochester-based program is a spinoff of the traditional Meals on Wheels program, which provides free lunch for those who meet state and federal qualifications. The new version is considered the first of its kind. It offers the same nutrition-packed meal but incorporates the distinctive flavors of East African cooking. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
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Friday, Jan. 24, 2003 |
House Ways and Means approves budget plan
The House Ways and Means committee last night approved a budget-balancing plan that tracks closely with the priorities outlined by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The $468 million deficit-reduction package now heads to the House floor where the Republican majority anticipates easy passage. But provisions of the plan have upset state employees unions and advocates for the state's steel industry. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Pawlenty touting tax-free zones
Gov. Pawlenty is travelling the state touting his idea of establishing tax-free zones in Minnesota. Pawlenty wants to create up to 10 zones in which businesses would be exempt from corporate income, property and sales taxes. He says the zones would bring jobs and investment to parts of the state that are suffering economically. Other states have created similar projects. Frank Beck is a professor at Illinois State University.
Pawlenty appoints new public safety commissioner
Gov. Pawlenty has appointed a Republican House member and inspector for the Minneapolis Police Department as his public safety commissioner. Pawlenty says Rep. Rich Stanek has the credentials to handle the job. Stanek has been instrumental in passing tougher crime sentences and getting money for equipment for local police and fire fighters. However, Stanek's critics say he has an abrasive personality and they worry about his track record on civil liberties. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Many high-end Minneapolis hotels getting renovations
Hotels in Minneapolis are getting a major face-lift. The opening of new downtown hotels is pushing the older ones to keep up with renovations costing millions of dollars. The trend to upgrade is the topic of an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." Reporter Andrew Tellijohn says there are several hotels that are making major changes.
Warmer air on the way
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley looks at the cold weather in the context of Minnesota weather history. He also covers the weekend forecast.
Word of Mouth
Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts looks at art and artists around the state this week.
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