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May 26 - 30, 2003
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, May 26, 2003 |
Deal made on three of last four spending bills
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders have made a major breakthrough in budget negotiations. Negotiators met late last night and into the morning to craft agreements on transportation funding, aid payments to local governments, and state borrowing. Lawmakers are expected to return later today to tackle the final piece of the puzzle: the health and human services budget. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
Number of illegal guns up says Minneapolis police
Police say the number of illegal guns on the streets of Minneapolis is increasing, and so is the quality of the guns which now pack more firepower. Still in place, police say, is a strategy developed five years ago to curtail gun violence in neighborhoods. However, the supply of guns available to criminals is hampering efforts to make neighborhoods safe. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports.
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Tuesday, May 27, 2003 |
End of session in sight?
Lawmakers and Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration continue to put the final touches on a budget for the next two years. Over the Memorial Day weekend, negotiators agreed on a tax, transportation, and bonding bill. Their last hurdle is to complete a health and human service funding bill. Legislative leaders hope to finish the session Tuesday or Wednesday. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer got an update from MPR's Capitol Bureau Chief, Laura McCallum.
Pawlenty open to changing conceal carry law
The Pawlenty administration and Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum say they would be open to considering changes to the so-called concealed carry law. The law takes effect on Wednesday. The law requires local sheriffs to issue a handgun permit to almost any law abiding Minnesotan over the age of 21. The Legislature passed the bill earlier this session and within hours, it was signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Opponents say the governor and the bill's supporters did not carefully consider some aspects of the bill. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Watchmaking school grads getting job offers
Minnesota's job market has been engulfed in gloom for more than two years. Well, we found a bright spot. Demand for people who can repair high-end mechanical watches is high, and as Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports, graduates of a St. Paul watchmaking program tell job-hunting stories that would make a dot-com-er nostalgic.
Solar oven could help developing countries
Lots of people want to change the world. The Solar Oven Society in Minneapolis wants to do that with a simple tool: a dark, heat-trapping box with a clear lid. Designed for developing countries, it offers the promise of cooking with sunlight instead of wood. Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Losure recently visited the Solar Oven Society, and she has this report.
MPR's Chris Farrell on Monday Markets
MPR's Chief Economics Correspondent discusses the tax cut bill president Bush pushed through Congress.
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Wednesday, May 28, 2003 |
House passes transportation bill
One week into the special session, the Minnesota House has passed a transportation bill that could put as much as $900 million into road projects over the next four years. The bill would borrow for projects and use an advance of federal money, an approach criticized by DLFers as short-sighted. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Bonding bill could stall conclusion of special session
In addition to approving the transportation bill, House lawmakers passed a measure that avoids any new state taxes, but they did not vote on a $217 million bonding bill. Senate DFLers adjourned without taking any action. They say the bonding bill, which authorizes an increase in state debt for long-term investments, is their top priority. What's more, they say they won't consider the other budget measures until the House passes it. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
The Minnesota Personal Protection Act takes effect
Minnesota's Personal Protection Act takes effect today, making it much easier for people to receive permits to carry handguns. The law requires sheriffs to issue handgun permits to anyone who meets standardized criteria. Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed the legislation last month, but now he supports a Republican proposal to change the law. The change would make it easier for churches and businesses to inform patrons that they have a no-gun policy. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
Minnetonka mayor speaks about tight city budgets
The mayor of Minnetonka is back home this morning after a trip to Washington where she spoke about the budget challenges facing U.S. cities. Mayor Karen Anderson participated in a summit convened by the National League of Cities. She and other analysts considered the way federal fiscal policy is affecting state and local budgets. Many cities are facing deficits, and as a result are making cuts or raising fees or taxes. Mayor Anderson is the former president of the National League of Cities, and she joins us now.
Lawmakers struggle to finish special session
Today is the ninth day of the special legislative session, and it appears it will not be the last. Lawmakers still haven't reached agreement on a Health and Human Services spending bill, and now there is a movement by Republicans to change the conceal and carry handgun law which takes effect today. Some Democrats will push to get the gun law repealed completely. Joining us to analyze the situation at the Capitol is Lori Sturdevant, a columnist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Also on the line is Steve Dornfeld, the former associate editorial page editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
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Thursday, May 29, 2003 |
Leaders agree on health and human services deal
The Minnesota House and Senate are expected to vote today on a health and human services funding bill. Negotiators finally reached an agreement on that bill late last night. One of the sticking points which held up a deal was how to fund healthcare access as far out as five or six years from now. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Lawmakers hope to finish special session soon
With a deal in place on the health and human services bill, lawmakers are hoping to finish the work of the special session soon. In addition to voting on the bill today, House and Senate leaders are hoping to pass a bonding bill that borrows money for state building projects. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports on the budget gridlock.
Changing gun bill may not happen this year
Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum says he'll continue to push for a change in a new law that would require sheriffs to issue handgun permits to almost any Minnesotan over the age of 21. The law went into effect Wednesday. Sviggum and Gov. Tim Pawlenty say they would like to change a requirement that business owners both post signs and personally tell people that guns aren't welcome in their estanblishments. The proposed change would allow business owners to do one or the other. However, several lawmakers say they don't think a compromise between the House and Senate on the handgun issue can be reached this session.
Kelly discusses Ayd Mill Road, budget
Later today, residents of St. Paul will get a chance to tell Mayor Randy Kelly what they think should happen to the Ayd Mill Road. The road has the potential to connect highways I-94 and 35-E, but it runs through residential areas. Citizen activists kept the road closed to highway access for years. But a year ago, Kelly approved a proposal to connect the Ayd Mill Road road to Interstate 35-E on a trial basis. Mayor Randy Kelly joins us now.
Historical sites could close, efforts underway to save them
While there's some state money coming for public works projects in St. Paul, some historic sites in the capitol city may have to close because of budget cuts. The James J. Hill house is slated to close July 1, along with other historic sites across the state. The Minnesota Historical Society expects to lose more than $8 million in state funding over the next two years. There are efforts to keep the historic sites open. Historical Society Director, Nina Archibal says she's due to meet soon with Mayor Kelly about the Hill house.
Drug and alcohol addiction insurance parity
People suffering from drug or alcohol addictions could get better access to treatment under a federal bill recently introduced in the U.S. House and Senate. Late Senator Paul Wellstone pushed the proposal, which would assure people with private insurance that their policies would cover treatment for addiction, just as they would for a physical illness. Senator Norm Coleman and Congressman Jim Ramstad are supporting the legislation, and will promote it later today along with William Moyers, Vice President of External Affairs at Hazelden Foundation, a renowned drug and alcohol treatment center. Mr. Moyers joins us on the line this morning.
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Friday, May 30, 2003 |
Special session ends and DFLers may defect
The 2003 special legislative session has gavelled to a close after the House and Senate completed work on $4.2 billion deficit reduction package. The last major budget item to pass was a tax bill that funds aid to local governments. The aid cuts proposed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty and House Republicans, however, shook Senate DFLers, and may have opened a rift in that caucus. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
$237 million bonding bill passes
A bill that authorizes borrowing of $237 million for capital investments is on its way to Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The bill provides funding for statewide projects in the arts, flood relief and higher education. The bill was a top priority of Senate DFLers who said it would stimulate the economy. Opponents say the bill is inappropriate during a budget crisis. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Analysis of politics at the State Capitol
Minnesota lawmakers have adjourned the 2003 special legislative session. The Legislature wrapped up final details yesterday on three contentious spending bills and a bonding bill. Gov. Tim Pawlenty won on the main sticking point in the budget debate -- no new state taxes were raised to eliminate the deficit. Lawmakers also passed some significant policy changes, including a 24-hour waiting period before abortions, a concealed-carry handgun law, and a remake of the state's K-12 education standards. Larry Jacobs is a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota. He says there were some big winners and losers this session.
Welfare recipients to see changes to state programs
The Minnesota Legislature has adjourned the 2003 special session. Lawmakers finished their work last night, passing a transportation bill, a tax bill, a bonding bill, and a contentious health and human services bill. The $7.5 billion bill that funds health and human services includes changes to the state's welfare system. Some welfare recipients will see cuts in their grants, and work rules will be tougher. Jan Mueller works with welfare recipients at Lifetrack Resources, a social service agency in the Twin Cities that runs a job training program. She says the changes will affect her work in several ways.
Dale Warland retires and choir to disband
Internationally acclaimed choral conductor Dale Warland is stepping down as artistic director of the chorus he created three decades ago. Under his baton, the Dale Warland Singers have become known as one of the best a capella choirs in the world. But now Warland says it is time to move on. He will do one more season, then the Dale Warland Singers will disband. Warland talked about the decision to Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Crann.
SPCO musicians take 17% cut
Musicians in the St Paul Chamber orchestra have agreed to take a 17 percent pay cut. That change comes in the first year of a new four year contract. Musicians ratified the contract yesterday. Orchestra management say the cuts are necessary to balance the books. In return the musicians will have a much greater say in the everyday running of the orchestra. Orchestra President Bruce Coppock welcomed the deal, which will save the SPCO $680,000 in the next fiscal year. He says the orchestra needed to find almost $2 million in savings.
New grocery store chain coming to Twin Cities
The grocery store market in the Twin Cities is about to get another competitor. Aldi stores, popular in the eastern U.S., is expected to open multiple stores beginning this fall. Aldi is a discount grocery chain that uses several unique strategies to keep its costs low. Aldi's emergence in the Twin Cities is the topic of an article in this week's edition of "The Business Journal." Joining us in the studio is Andrew Tellijohn, the reporter who wrote the story.
Meteorologist Mark Seeley on the cool spring
University of Minnesota meteorologist Mark Seeley says it has been a cool spring in the Twin Cities, with few high temperature readings in the 80's so far this year.
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