Topics

Government

• Reproduction and Responsibility
  A new report from the President's Council on Bioethics says the government should more aggressively oversee the largely unregulated fertility industry.April 5, 2004
• Patrons help public libraries
  Public libraries around Minnesota are getting less money from the state than in the past. They're responding by cutting services and buying fewer books. The Minneapolis library eliminated a quarter of its staff. The Le Sueur library stopped subscribing to half its magazines. The library in Thief River Falls parked its bookmobile. But at the same time, libraries are getting creative about finding more money. And people who are used to using the library for free, are stepping forward to help out.March 25, 2004
• Who will pay for your retirement?
  Aging baby boomers might mean a budget crisis for Minnesota. State officials hope a public debate will spark solutions in time to avoid fiscal disaster.March 17, 2004
• Mayor Kelly on his Asian visit
  St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly talks about his trip to Thailand and how the expected Hmong immigration will affect the area. He also supports the building of a Twins stadium in St. Paul, but a slim majority of the city council does not.March 12, 2004
• High-cost transplant rallies community
  Residents of Lake Benton have raised thousands of dollars for a 12-year-old girl who needs a kidney transplant. Her family has health insurance, but needs help with expenses not covered by the policy.March 8, 2004
• Gang strike force opposes merger with drug force
  Members of Minnesota's Gang Strike Force say they're not happy with Gov. Pawlenty's proposal to merge the gang unit with the Minnesota Drug Task Force. Pawlenty's supplemental budget proposal includes a $3 million initiative for an agency that will investigate both drug and gang activity. Pawlenty and other supporters say the merger would save money and consolidate crime fighting resources. But critics say they're concerned the agency will suffer.March 5, 2004
• Investment board demands Pfizer end battle against Canadian imports
  The Minnesota State Board of Investment adopted a resolution Wednesday that would encourage the drug company, Pfizer, and other drug companies, to change their business practices. Minnesota's pension funds own about $476 million in Pfizer stock. Gov. Pawlenty, who sits on the investment board, proposed the resolution after the company cut off supplies to Canadian drug wholesalers that sell to Americans.March 3, 2004
• Taming Highway 1
  Highway 1 is a favorite for motorcycles and sports cars but it's a terror for school buses and motor homes. The winding forest road to Ely is due for a rebuild. Should it be made wider, smoother, and straighter? Or should it be left alone?March 2, 2004
• State's budget situation better than expected
  State officials say Minnesota's budget outlook shows a slight improvement from last fall. The latest revenue forecast shows a projected $160 million deficit through June 2005. That's a smaller deficit than many lawmakers had predicted, but plugging the budget hole may still prove contentious.February 27, 2004
• Pawlenty vs. the FDA
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty says federal concerns won't prompt him to shut down a state Web site that provides consumer information on Canadian pharmacies. The Food and Drug Administration sent Pawlenty a letter Monday calling the Web site "unsafe, unsound and ill-considered." Attorney General Mike Hatch says the FDA doesn't have any grounds for legal action against the Web site.February 24, 2004
• Revolt is brewing over No Child Left Behind
  A revolt against federal education law is brewing at the state Capitol. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 brought tough new accountability measures to schools and expanded student testing requirements. But several state lawmakers in both political parties are growing frustrated with what they view as an unfunded and intrusive mandate. The Senate Education Committee will take up two bills Tuesday that express that frustration.February 17, 2004
• Lower DWI limit hits a snag
  The push for tougher drunk-driving laws at the Capitol may have hit a snag. The Senate last week overwhelmingly passed a bill that would lower the blood-alcohol threshold from the current .10 to .08. But leaders in the House say the lower standard could present a hardship to the cities and counties that would be charged with enforcing it. They say they'd prefer to delay the tighter standard for another three years.February 16, 2004
• Health care task force issues broad suggestions
  Gov. Pawlenty's health care task force, chaired by former Sen. Dave Durenberger, Friday released part of its proposal for improving health care costs in the state. The task force has held town hall meetings across the state to seek citizen input on providing quality, affordable health care. While some say the recommendations are a good first step in improving the system, some are withholding judgement until the entire report is released.February 6, 2004
• Pawlenty's speech puts focus on gambling
  Gov. Pawlenty in his speech Thursday called for a re-examination of the 15-year-old gaming compacts that authorize the state's 11 American Indian tribes to operate casinos. The governor has long been an opponent of sanctioning new gambling facilities, but he's suggesting that a "better deal" could be negotiated with the tribes based on their current operations, perhaps one that requires them to share a portion of their gaming revenues with the state.February 5, 2004
• Pawlenty touts accomplishments in State of the State address
  Gov. Pawlenty delivered a State of the State address Thursday that was more upbeat than his first one. Pawlenty says Minnesotans have reason to be optimistic. He noted the state has largely overcome a historic budget deficit without raising taxes, and he highlighted several reforms he's already proposed over the last few months. DFL leaders object to Pawlenty's description of his first year, and disagree with his vision for the future.February 5, 2004

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