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January 3 - 7, 2005
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Monday, Jan. 3, 2005 |
Budget shortfall focus of new legislative session
Lawmakers return to St. Paul tomorrow to convene the 84th Minnesota Legislature. The principal order of business will be crafting a two-year state budget that's currently projected to run at least $700 million short. As part of our coverage of the 2005 Session, Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo takes apart the expected deficit, its origins, and some possible remedies.
Minnesotan helping tsunami victims in Thailand
Last week, the news from South Asian countries reeling from tsumani damage only seemed to get worse by the day. But a week after the disaster, some of those on the ground in the area say the response has finally turned a corner and now involves more helping survivors than assessing damage. A Northfield, Minnesota native who now works for the Twin Cities-based American Refugee Committee in Thailand spoke with Minnesota Public Radio's William Wilcoxen, who has this report.
Supercomputer industry may be coming back
If the world of supercomputing had a winners circle, it would be occupied right now by a machine in Rochester. IBM's "Blue Gene-L" is now the fastest computer in the world. Minnesota's history of building the world's fastest and most powerful computers dates back to the early 1960s. That helped fuel the Twin Cities' reputation as a technology hotbed in the 1980s. The industry fell on hard times in the 1990s, but now may be poised for a renaissance. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
Vikings lose season finale, back into playoffs
Believe it or not, the Minnesota Vikings have earned a spot in the NFL playoffs. Despite a loss to the Washington Redskins yesterday, the Vikings secured one of the NFC's wild card playoff spots when the Carolina Panthers lost to the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings lost 7 of their last 10 games and finished 8-8 on the year. They are the 9th team to make the playoffs without a winning record. They play the Green Bay Packers in Green Bay next week. Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Sean Jensen who covers the Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
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Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005 |
Politics at Session 2005
Minnesota Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum could have trouble today in his bid to remain speaker as state lawmakers return to the Capitol today for what could be another contentious session. Two Republican House members are threatening to abstain from voting in the contest for speaker, one of the first orders of business. Both the House and Senate are narrowly divided - in the House, Republicans have only a one-vote lead. Legislative leaders say the close margins will result in more bipartisan cooperation, but there are already some early indications of partisan wrangling. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum looks at the politics of the 2005 session.
Lawmakers react to governor's bonding bill
Minnesota lawmakers will be at the Capitol this morning for the first day of the 2005 legislative session. Yesterday, Gov. Tim Pawlenty laid out his proposal for an $816 million bonding bill this session. The bonding bill funds capital improvement projects around the state like university buildings, corrections facilities and rail projects. Last year, lawmakers failed to pass a bonding bill. Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer spoke with two legislators -- DFL State Sen. Keith Langseth chairs the Capital Investment Committee in the Senate, and Republican Dan Dorman heads the equivalent committee in the House.
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Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2005 |
Session 2005 convenes
The 84th Minnesota Legislature convened yesterday with pledges of bipartisanship, followed in the House by a slew of party-line votes. Legislators from both parties say Minnesotans expect them to work together and accomplish something this session. At the same time, the Legislature is the most evenly divided it's been in at least half a century, with 101 Democrats, 99 Republicans and one independent. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Legislature could boost education funding in 2005
Despite a projected budget shortfall, Minnesota lawmakers appear ready to include more money for public schools when they put together a state budget for the next two years. Legislative leaders are promising the 2005 session will bring a long-awaited increase in the basic funding formula for K-12 education. But disagreements are expected over how much is enough, and whether school reforms should be tied to the new spending. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
St. Paul considers citywide WiFi
Later today, the St. Paul City Council talks about WiFi, or wireless internet access, citywide. It is something that is already in coffee houses, and a number of hotels. The city of Chaska offers such wireless access to its residents for a low monthly fee. St. Paul City Council Member Dave Thune is expected to offer a resolution at a council meeting today to have the city research options on how to provide that wireless internet access. MPR's Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Dave Thune.
Campion testifies at confirmation hearing
The Minnesota Senate could vote later this week on whether to confirm Gov. Tim Pawlenty's pick for public safety commissioner. Michael Campion won the unanimous endorsement of a Senate committee yesterday, setting him up for a smooth confirmation. Campion was formerly superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and has been running the public safety department since former commissioner Rich Stanek resigned over use of a racial epithet. Campion is one of three Pawlenty cabinet members awaiting confirmation. He spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.
St. Catherine's is 100 years old
The College of Saint Catherine in St. Paul turns 100 today. During that time, hundreds of small women's colleges have come and gone. But St. Kate's has grown to become the nation's largest Catholic college offering women-only programs. The members of the St. Catherine's community say its staying power resides in its founding vision and pioneer spirit. Minnesota Public Radio's Marisa Helms reports.
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Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005 |
Listings not yet available.
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Friday, Jan. 7, 2005 |
Pawlenty talks with northern tribes on gambling
Gov. Tim Pawlenty and leaders of three northern Minnesota indian tribes say they were pleased with an historic meeting on the White Earth Reservation on Thursday. Much of the discussion centered on the governor's push to change the landscape of casino gambling in the state. Mainstreet Radio's Tom Robertson reports.
Tougher penalties could lead to overcrowding problems
Minnesota lawmakers face one of those classic political dilemmas this session - how to balance the strong desire to lock up more criminals against the reality of tight finances. Minnesota's legislative leaders say they hope to pass tougher penalties for people who commit sex crimes and drug offenses. The problem is the state's prison system is running out of space. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is asking state lawmakers to borrow over $100 million to add space at two of its facilities. But legislators may have some other ideas. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
Lawmakers learning to get beyond bickering
With the new year and the new legislative session, there have been an awful lot of resolutions among lawmakers to find common ground and cross-party compromise. But what does it take to build that sort of consensus? A group of legislators is seeking that answer today as part of a two-day workshop they are calling "Beyond Bickering." Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo stopped by the first day's session to see what they have learned.
Music to celebrate State Capitol's 100th birthday
This evening the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra premiers a new overture to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the opening of the Minnesota State Capitol building. Twin Cities composer Carol Barnett was commissioned to write the piece which she calls, "The People's Room." Barnett wrote the work for percussion, winds, strings and a chorus which sings in twelve different languages. She told Minnesota Public Radio's Karl Gehrke that the work was inspired by a German saying painted on a Capitol wall.
Mark Seeley's weather comments
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the cold start to 2005 all across Minnesota. For snow lovers, he tells us where they can find the white stuff, and then he recalls the blizzard of 1873.
Businesses using blogging
An increasing number of Americans are reading blogs, and that has some corporations interested in the technology. A number of companies are now blogging to better connect with current or future customers. Nicole Garrison-Sprenger covered the story for this week's edition of The Business Journal.
Vikings hope to end outdoor woes in Green Bay
The Minnesota Vikings are the underdogs for this Sunday's wildcard playoff game with the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. That oddsmakers are picking the Pack should come as no surprise to football fans. The Vikings have already lost two games against the Packers this year. And they have lost 20 of their last 22 games played outdoors. But the Vikings players say those stats will become meaningless if they win Sunday. Minnesota public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
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