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Government

• Police chiefs bid farewell
  More than ten Minnesota police chiefs will retire this year, a number that is almost double the average. Many of the chiefs are reaching the retirement age of 55, but job stress may also be contributing to the retirement rush.June 14, 2004
• Minneapolis moves closer to smoking ban
  A Minneapolis City Council committee has approved an ordinance that would ban smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants. The committee voted Monday after nearly three hours of public testimony.June 8, 2004
• Army Corps Navigation Study nears completion
  It's been twelve long years in the making, but now it appears the Army Corps Navigation Study is on the verge of completion.June 6, 2004
• State will start charging recipients in AIDS drug program
  The Minnesota Department of Human Services will require many low-income people who have AIDS or who are HIV positive to start paying more for their health care and drug coverage. DHS officials say the AIDS Drug Assistance Program is expected to run a significant deficit in the next year. They say the changes are needed to provide coverage to as many cases as possible. Critics say the changes are unreasonable since they come on the heels of significant budget cuts to HIV and other publicly subsidized health insurance programs.May 27, 2004
• Sviggum: 'It's too late'
  Three days before the mandated end of the legislative session, all of the major issues remain unresolved. DFLers rejected the budget fix proposed Thursday by Gov. Pawlenty and Republican leaders. Barring a last-minute deal, the Legislature may adjourn Monday without passing a budget-balancing plan, a capital investment bill, new academic standards and a host of other issues.May 14, 2004
• Drug discount cards bring savings and confusion
  Medicare-approved drug discount cards go into effect June 1, but seniors are having a tough time figuring out which to choose. And some states, including Minnesota, have advised older consumers to wait.May 14, 2004
• Gambling bills appear dead for session
  The push to generate new state gambling revenues appears over for the year after a Senate committee Thursday night rejected or passed over the major casino initiatives. The Senate Taxes committee, however, did approve a plan calling for the governor to discuss an off-reservation casino with any of the state's 11 Indian communities that express an interest. But with only days left in the legislative session, that proposal seems certain to stall. And some tribal representatives are already suggesting it may be unworkable and unwelcome.May 14, 2004
• State employees can order drugs from Canada for free
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he's taking the next step on the issue of drug reimportation. A plan Pawlenty announced Thursday would allow Minnesota's 120,000 state employees to get certain drugs at no cost to them -- if they buy from a Canadian Internet pharmacy. Minnesota is the first state in the nation to take such action. But critics say the action is illegal and will have a short shelf life.May 13, 2004
• Anti-smoking campaign is gone; teen smoking is up
  A recent Minnesota study shows teens are becoming more susceptible to smoking. Anti-smoking groups say the findings reaffirm that lawmakers made a mistake in gutting a tobacco endowment to balance last year's budget.May 13, 2004
• In smoking ban debate, patrons will vote with their feet
  Members of the Minneapolis City Council will introduce a smoking ban ordinance on Friday, which would ban smoking in all bars, restaurants, and night clubs. There is little agreement among customers or business people on the proposal.May 11, 2004
• DFL can't muster enough votes for bonding bill
  The Minnesota Senate Thursday defeated a $950 million package of public works projects. The bill needed 41 votes to pass, but fell two votes short. Most Republicans voted against it, saying the bill is too large. Senate DFL leaders say it's unlikely there will be a bonding bill this session.May 6, 2004
• Senate unveils $889 million borrowing bill
  Senate DFL leaders Tuesday proposed a nearly $950 million package of capital improvement projects. About $890 million worth of projects would be funded by selling state-backed bonds, so the bill is commonly called the bonding bill. The package is far bigger than a $677 million bonding bill the House passed last week. The two bills could be difficult to reconcile, especially with less than two weeks left in the legislative session.May 4, 2004
• Seniors getting up to speed on new drug card
  Starting this week, Medicare recipients can begin enrolling in a drug discount card program. The cards are meant to help seniors pay for medicine until the new Medicare prescription drug benefit takes effect in 2006. Seniors across Minnesota have been attending informational meetings on the new benefit and have mixed feelings about it.May 4, 2004
• Medicare drug card program to begin with many choices, much confusion
  Every low-income Medicare beneficiary who qualifies should sign up for a Medicare-approved drug discount card, which provides $600 in government aid to buy prescription medicines. For everyone else, the decision to buy a discount card - and which one - is not so simple. Enrollment in the discount card program begins May 3, and the cards can be used starting in June.April 30, 2004
• Bus strike highlights debate over transit at the Capitol
  While the bus strike may soon be over, the debate over transit funding is heating up at the Capitol. Gov, Pawlenty and House Republicans have proposed cutting the Metro Transit budget, while Senate Democrats want to increase transit funding. Transit advocates say Metro Transit will need more money to regain riders after the strike, and further cuts will cripple the agency.April 14, 2004

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