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May 5 - 9, 2003
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Monday, May 5, 2003 |
Poll gives President Bush's performance high marks
The latest Minnesota Public Radio-Pioneer Press opinion poll shows overwhelming approval of George W. Bush's performance as president. The majority of respondents said the president is doing a "Good" to "Excellent" job. His handling of the war in Iraq gets particularly high marks. But even those who support the president say he must work hard to revive the domestic economy in order to remain popular. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
Insurance companies dropping customers, raising premiums
As the spring and summer storm season approaches, the number of Minnesotans who have lost their homeowners insurance has soared, along with premiums. More state residents have to rely on a safety-net insurance program created by the state. Insurance industry officials say the problem is small and stems from a perfect storm of bad weather and plummeting stock markets. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Minneapolis man is Teacher of the Year
Minnesota has a new Teacher of the Year. Gino Marchetti, who teaches third grade at Lake Harriet Community School in Minneapolis, was selected from 12 finalists last night. He is the 39th person to receive the honor and the first to come from the Minneapolis School District. Marchetti will be nominated for the National Teacher of the Year, and he joins us now.
Two weeks to go, much to do at state Capitol
Minnesota lawmakers have just two weeks before they must adjourn the session. Both the House and Senate have passed several spending packages, and now they must agree on a way to balance the next two-year budget in the face of a $4.2 billion shortfall. Joining us now for a look at the week ahead is Minnesota Public Radio's Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum.
Humphrey staffers gather to honor his legacy
It's been 25 years since the death of Hubert Humphrey, and today former staffers and aides are coming together in Minneapolis to honor his legacy. Humphrey was mayor of Minneapolis in the 1940's. He united the Democratic and Farmer-Labor parties, became a U.S. senator who championed civil rights, and was elected vice president in 1964. About 100 former staffers and aids will gather at the Humphrey Institute at the U of M to discuss his impact on Minnesota and the country. Joining us on the line is Norm Sherman, Humphrey's former press secretary.
Monday Markets
Minnesota Public Radio's Chief Economics Correspondent Chris Farrell discusses the latest economic news and its effect on the financial markets.
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Tuesday, May 6, 2003 |
MPR poll shows dissatisfaction with Pawlenty growing
A new Minnesota Public Radio-St. Paul Pioneer Press poll finds about half of those asked think Gov. Pawlenty is doing a good or excellent job. That's about the same as in a February poll by the same organizations. But the number of people rating his performance "poor" more than doubled, rising from 8 to 17 percent. Craig Grau is a political science professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and he's on the line now.
Two weeks left in the session, $28 billion to spend
With two weeks left in the legislative session, there seems to be little middle ground between Democrats and Republicans. Both sides are pointing to weekend polls to make their case for balancing the budget. Republicans say they won't raise taxes, while DFL leaders say if Republicans won't compromise, a special session is likely. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Alternative schools fear state funding changes
Educators throughout Minnesota are fighting this session to preserve funding for summer school and other programs to help struggling students. Gov. Pawlenty's budget proposal eliminates the extra money school districts get for students enrolled in programs outside of the regular school day. House and Senate leaders have taken less drastic positions in their K-12 funding bills, but reductions are still a possibility. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
The National Symphony Orchestra tours North Dakota
The National Symphony Orchestra is spending two weeks touring North Dakota. It's part of the American Residency program the orchestra began in 1992. In two weeks the musicians will have performed 200 concerts and workshops across the state. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports.
Phillips community activist gets heritage preservation award
Minneapolis will give out its Heritage Preservation Awards this month, and one will be presented to Donna Ellringer. Ellringer is a community activist in the Phillips neighborhood and has been working for years to improve the city's poorest area. Now she and her husband have won an award for preserving their home in that neighborhood. Just as they've received the award, they're thinking of pulling up stakes. Donna Ellringer joins us now.
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Wednesday, May 7, 2003 |
Hmong protest Laos trade plan
The U.S. ambassador to Laos visited Minnesota on Tuesday to promote the start of normal trade relations with the Communist country. The visit sparked protests, organized primarily by Hmong veterans who sided with the United States during the Vietnam War, but who were driven out when the U.S. withdrew its support. They say opening relations with Laos only rewards a brutal regime. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
State is split on gas tax increase
The latest Minnesota Public Radio-St. Paul Pioneer Press Poll shows a slight majority would oppose an increase to the gas tax or their license tab fees to pay for transportation projects. Respondents were split over the condition of the state's roads. Both the House and Senate have passed different transportation funding projects. Gov. Pawlenty and House Republicans say the poll reinforces their decision not to raise taxes to pay for transportation projects. Senate DFLers say the polls show more people support an increase than in previous years. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Later bar hours on tap
Cities could allow their bars to stay open until 2 a.m., under a bill passed by the Minnesota Senate on Tuesday. The vote is a significant victory for supporters of extending bar hours, which has been debated at the Capitol for years. They say this could be the year a later bar closing is signed into law. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Wild gear up for game 6
The Minnesota Wild will try to get a win at home tonight against the Vancouver Canucks in game 6 of their Stanley Cup playoff series. The Wild need to win to stay alive, but they haven't had much luck at home during the playoffs. They lost two home games to the Avalanche in the first round of the series, and another two at home to the Canucks. Doug Johnson is the Publisher of Let's Play Hockey. He's on the line now.
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Thursday, May 8, 2003 |
Gov. Pawlenty sticks by tax pledge
The Minnesota Legislature has less than two weeks to come up with a budget for the next biennium. Lawmakers are required by law to adjourn the session by May 19th, but House Republicans and Senate DFLers are still far apart in their plans to deal with a projected $4.2 billion shortfall. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has been meeting with legislative leaders and says he's sticking by his pledge not to raise state taxes. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer talked with Gov. Pawlenty.
House tax bill includes no new state taxes
Minnesota House Republicans say they have made good on their commitment to hold the line on new taxes. Yesterday, the House voted 70-63 to approve a tax bill with no state tax increases. That sets GOP lawmakers up against the DFL-controlled Senate, which is contemplating more than $1 billion in income and cigarette tax hikes. As Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports, the tax battle will be the key to resolving the overall budget debate.
Public schools must improve to meet federal standards
A new analysis of graduation rates, test scores and other public school data shows Minnesota needs to make a lot of improvements to meet new federal education requirements. The 2002 Minnesota Education Yearbook looks specifically at how well schools are measuring up to the demands of the federal No Child Left Behind law. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
Former Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe honored
Hundreds of state politicians and political staffers turned out last night to honor recently retired DFL Senator Roger Moe. The bipartisan event at the St. Paul Hotel was put together by former Republican Gov. Arne Carlson and former DFL House Speaker Phil Carruthers to honor Moe, who spent 32 years at the state Legislature -- 22 of those years as Senate majority Leader. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms has more.
Minnesota Wild win and force game 7 with Canucks
The Minnesota Wild keep surprising the hockey world. They beat the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 in Saint Paul last night to push their Stanley Cup playoff series into a decisive game seven, to be played tonight in Vancouver. Last night marked the fifth time this spring the Wild have pulled out a victory when a loss would have ended their season. Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen reports.
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Friday, May 9, 2003 |
Experts gather in Minneapolis for biotech summit
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is bringing together leading experts on biotechnology for a summit next week in Minneapolis. Biotechnology is a big priority for Pawlenty. He's pushed for biotech tax-free zones and has encouraged the U of M and the Mayo Clinic to form a biotechnology partnership. The summit which starts Monday will bring together business leaders, scientists, and educators. Heath Lukatch, managing director of Piper Jaffray ventures based in San Francisco, will also be there to provide a national perspective. Lukatch says there are applications of biotechnology in which Minnesota could be a leader.
Small business may get help with health care costs
Small businesses in Minnesota have new hope for keeping their health care costs down. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Medica are teaming up to offer a new plan that would not only offer businesses the possibility of lower costs, but would also keep their employees healthier. The plan is the subject of an article in today's edition of The Business Journal. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Scott Smith, the reporter who wrote the article.
Minnesota Wild win game 7 vs. Canucks
The Minnesota Wild have done it again. The Wild's 4-2 victory over the Canucks in Vancouver last night completed Minnesota's second straight come from behind win of a Stanley Cup playoff series. On the brink of elimination, the Wild beat Vancouver three times in a row -- just as they did in their first round series with Colorado. It is an unprecedented feat in hockey, and it means the Wild will now host Anaheim tomorrow in the start of the Western Conference Finals.
Hockey analyst on Wild's success
One of the people watching last night's Wild vs. Canucks game with keen interest was Doug Johnson, the Publisher of "Let's Play Hockey" and Morning Edition's expert guide to this Wild playoff run.
Mark Seeley on wet weather and severe weather
University of Minnesota Meteorologist Mark Seeley on the wet spring weather in Minnesota, and the recent severe weather in Missouri, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
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