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May 23 - 27, 2005
[ Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday ]
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Monday, May 23, 2005 |
Cigarette tax proposed to jump-start budget talks
The 2005 legislative session comes to a close today with a special session a virtual certainty. No progress was made over the weekend on the substantial budget differences still dividing Gov. Tim Pawlenty and House Republicans from the DFL-controlled Senate. That's despite the governor's offer late last week to increase the tax on cigarettes by 75-cents per pack to entice Democrats to the bargaining table. It's not clear the governor's so-called cigarette "fee" is enough to close a deal. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
Last day of Session 2005 and still no budget
With less than 24 hours to go before the end of the regular legislative session, state lawmakers are still trying to reach agreement on how to balance the state's budget. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Minnesota Public Radio Capitol Bureau Chief Laura McCallum.
Communter rail comes to Duluth -- briefly
Duluth becomes the second Minnesota city today with a commuter rail line to bring people downtown. Unlike the multi-million dollar light rail in Minneapolis, Duluth's Lakefront Zephyr is costing taxpayers almost nothing. But it's just running for a week long enough, promoters say, to prove it's a feasible alternative to cars. Mainstreet Radio's Bob Kelleher reports.
Gene altered pollen concerns organic farmers
Organic farmers have a headache. It's caused by the genetically engineered crops many of their neighbors grow. One concern is pollen. It can drift and bring unwanted genetic material into organic fields. Organic farmers have a system in place to control the problem, but many wonder if it's possible anymore to grow genetically pure crops. Some farmers are concerned overseas markets may close to U.S. organic producers if they can't. Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports.
New approach to conciliation court begins in Rice Co.
Beginning next month, Rice County will take a new approach to reducing judges' caseloads. It will allow volunteers to hear cases in small claims court. The program will be unveiled later today by three Minnesota judges. Under the new plan, volunteers will be trained before hearing cases. They'll then either render a decision or help the parties come to an agreement. Eduardo Wolle is the director of Rice County Dispute Resolution Program, which is working with Rice County District Court to start the program. He joins us now.
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Tuesday, May 24, 2005 |
Special session begins a minute after regular session
The 2005 legislative session has ended - and the special session has begun. Lawmakers failed to reach agreement on several major spending bills before the constitutional deadline to adjourn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty called them back into session immediately, despite the lack of a budget deal. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Suburban Sioux Falls school districts build in the city
As students prepare for the final days of school, several South Dakota school districts are looking to the future. The suburbs around Sioux Falls are enjoying a growth spurt and it's leading to some unusual arrangements. This fall, the Harrisburg School District will open a new elementary school in the city of Sioux Falls. It's the first district to build a school in another town. Within ten years, officials predict as many as seven suburban school districts will put up school buildings within the city limits of Sioux Falls. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports.
NWA looking to cut more mechanics jobs
In its latest move to lower labor costs, Northwest Airlines is looking for qualified replacement mechanics online. The effort comes while Northwest is in negotiations with its mechanic's union, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. Northwest proposed last week to cut more than half of its AMFA workforce or about 2,800 jobs. Talks are set to resume next week. Joining us on the line is John Budd, professor of industrial relations at the University of Minnesota.
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Wednesday, May 25, 2005 |
Wilf on verge of owning the Vikings
The NFL could approve a new owner for the Minnesota Vikings by the end of the day. New Jersey real estate developer Zygi Wilf is expected to meet NFL lawyers and Vikings president Gary Woods for breakfast this morning to tie up remaining issues. Then NFL owners could vote to approve Wilf, who took over the lead investment role when businessman Reggie Fowler couldn't come up with enough money. Current owner Red McCombs has agreed to sell the franchise for 600 million dollars. Approval from 24 of the 32 team owners is required for the sale to go through. Jay Weiner is a Star Tribune writer and a policy fellow at the Humphrey Institute. He's out in Washington, DC covering the NFL meeting, and he joins us now.
Special session begins with little momentum
The Minnesota Legislature is in special session, but the full House will not meet until tomorrow, and the Senate will meet only briefly Friday before recessing for the long Memorial Day Weekend. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and legislative leaders yesterday threw open the doors to their usually private negotiating sessions, inviting curious onlookers to observe budget talks that led nowhere. Thorny budget issues remain, and without an agreement by June 30, significant areas of state government would run out of funding and shut down. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
35W and Interstate Hwy. 94 to be updated
If you drive that tricky area, where 35W and Interstate Hwy. 94 are intertwined, just outside of downtown Minneapolis, you know it's often congested, and there are usually several accidents. In fact, that stretch is one of the most dangerous stretches of metro highway and the Minnesota Department of Transportation is looking for ways to fix that complicated area of the freeway . Yesterday, in an interview with the Star Tribune, the department said it will spend up to $700,000 over the next year-and-a-half to study the stretch where 35W and Interstate Hwy. 94 come together. Tom O'Keefe is the manager for the project.
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Thursday, May 26, 2005 |
Hatch fundraising for possible run for governor
Attorney General Mike Hatch has taken another step toward running for governor in 2006. Hatch sent a fundraising letter to DFL contributors, asking them to help him finance a gubernatorial campaign. While the election is still a year and a half away, Hatch isn't the only Democrat considering the governor's race. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
Mechanics react to Northwest's request for impasse
Northwest Airlines has asked the National Mediation Board to declare an impasse in its negotiations with its mechanics union, a move that risks a strike during the busy summer travel season. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Ted Ludwig, president of the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA) Local 33.
NFL approves sale of Vikings to Wilf
New Jersey real estate magnate Zygmunt Wilf will be the next owner of the Minnesota Vikings. NFL owners voted unanimously yesterday to approve the transfer of ownership from Red McCombs to Wilf and his group of investors. The group will buy the team for $600 million. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
Special session part of long history of special sessions
Gov. Tim Pawlenty is planning to sign the higher education spending bill later this morning. It was one of the few spending bills passed during the regular session that ended on Monday. The governor then immediately called for a special session to begin. This is the 21st special session since 1980. Joining us on the line to talk about these sessions past and present is Star Tribune editor Lori Sturdevant, who's been following Capitol politics since 1979.
Measuring the cost of longer prison time
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's office says the governor will likely sign increased sex offender penalties into law next week. On Monday, the legislature passed a crime bill that would send the most violent sex offenders to prison for life with no chance for parole. As Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports, some in the legal system are trying to figure out what kind of impact the law will have on the courts, prisons and streets of Minnesota.
Turning odd sounds into music
Learning to play music can be hard, but learning to compose can be even tougher. Minnesota composer Libby Larsen has been working with some Apple Valley high school students over the past few month as they create seven brand new pieces. Minnesota Public Radio's Karl Gehrke followed one group of students this past semester as they put together their composition.
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Friday, May 27, 2005 |
Cigarette tax proposal finding few friends at Minnesota Capitol
Gov. Tim Pawlenty's "health impact fee" appears to have landed with a dull thud at the Capitol. It isn't just his political foes who have criticized it, but some usual allies as well. It's apparently done little to break the budget stalemate; negotiators appear no closer to reaching a deal. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
FDA looking into possible link between Viagra and blindness
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is looking into reports of permanent vision loss among some men who have used the impotence drug Viagra. The type of blindness reported was detailed by University of Minnesota researchers and published in a medical journal back in March. The FDA says it's looking into about 40 reports of blindness, but hasn't found evidence that the drug is to blame. Dr. Howard Pomeranz is an associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. He spoke with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.
Stepping to a new rhythm
A hot young tap group is bringing new life and rhythm to dance in the Twin Cities. They're called "Ten Foot Five." Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs reports.
St. Paul using TIF money to meet housing goals
Despite a hot urban housing market, St. Paul has had to use tax increment financing money to meet its housing goals. Mayor Randy Kelly announced a program early in his term in 2002 to provide 5,000 new housing units over four years. Eleven of 12 residential projects on the mayor's Housing 5000 project list have received approval for tax increment financing. Joining us in the studio is Sam Black, who wrote about the story in this week's edition of "The Business Journal."
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