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Government

• Lots of winners in JOBZ program, but questions remain
  Gov. Pawlenty travels around the state Thursday to announce the locations of new tax-free enterprise zones. Starting next month, new development on thousands of parcels of land outside the metro area will be free from property, income, and sales taxes. Economically-stressed rural communities are waiting to see if this will spark the turnaround they need. Critics say Minnesota is about to land the latest blow in a battle nobody wins.December 18, 2003
• Full house
  Next month, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is to decide whether to support the State Corrections Department in its call for new funds to expand Minnesota's prisons. Corrections officials say the state's prisons are at 99 percent capacity, and won't be able to handle a rising inmate population. Deputy Corrections Commissioner Dennis Benson told All Things Considered host David Molpus, "our backs are against the wall, with only 85 vacant beds in the entire statewide system." Molpus recently visited the Stillwater state prison with Benson to see how officials are dealing with the crowded conditions.December 17, 2003
• How prepared is Minnesota to handle a bioterrorism attack?
  State and Canadian provincial health department authorities are sharing information on how to prepare for a possible bioterrorist attack. Recently, U.S. states received a report card of sorts, suggesting most places are unprepared for germ warfare.December 16, 2003
• Mayor Rybak on finding a new top cop
  The firm contracted to gather names of candidates for Minneapolis police chief is expected to reveal the list in the next few days. Minneapolis mayor R. T. Rybak talks about what he would like to see in a police chief as well as other issues facing the city.December 8, 2003
• Mayor Kelly on city development, response to Latinos
  St. Paul Mayor Randy Kelly talks about recent housing and revitalization proposals, how his administration might address concerns in the growing Latino community and the search for a new police chief.December 4, 2003
• More cuts possible as budget deficit resurfaces in Minnesota
  The Legislature will be faced with a comparatively modest budget deficit of $185 million for the 2004-05 fiscal year, according to a new financial forecast for the state.December 3, 2003
• Crime victim advocates unhappy about funding cuts
  Minnesota advocates for crime victims are learning how state budget cuts will affect their programs. The programs help battered women and abused children. They provide a variety of services from emergency shelter to help navigating the judicial system. Some service providers and state lawmakers say rural areas were unfairly targeted for cuts.December 1, 2003
• Diabetics on state insurance feel sting of budget cuts
  DFL lawmakers say the budget cuts made last session are creating life-threatening problems for some people enrolled in the state's subsidized insurance plan. The 2003 Legislature cut health benefits for about 20,000 low-income adults without children. Democrats say the problem is particularly acute for diabetics. They say medical supplies such as glucose testing strips are no longer covered, which will result in more expensive emergency room visits for many diabetics.November 25, 2003
• Medicare reform passes in Senate; awaits Bush's signature
  The Senate gave final congressional approval Tuesday to the most sweeping changes to Medicare since its creation in 1965, including a new prescription drug benefit for 40 million older and disabled Americans. The 54-44 vote sends the bill to President Bush, who is eager to sign it into law. Minnesota Sen. Mark Dayton, a DFLer, voted against the measure, while Sen. Norm Coleman, a Republican, voted in favor.November 25, 2003
• Stalled energy bill could hurt wind projects
  Wind energy is a fast growing energy source for Minnesota. But that could change if Congress doesn't finish work on an energy bill.November 25, 2003
• Minnesotans give Medicare bill mixed reviews
  The prescription drug benefit in the Medicare bill under debate in the U.S. Senate is getting a mixed reaction from Minnesota seniors. Supporters say the bill would finally provide a prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries, something that's been missing from the program since it was started in 1965. Opponents of the $400 billion bill say it benefits drug and insurance companies, but does little to lower the overall cost of drugs.November 24, 2003
• Pawlenty drug plan gets warm reception from U.S. senators
  Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty's plan to help residents buy lower-priced prescription drugs from Canada won kudos from a friendly U.S. Senate panel on Thursday. Pawlenty's plan calls for creating a Web site that lists Canadian pharmacies that meet Minnesota's standards for safety, and negotiating prices with the approved pharmacies. It also calls for offering incentives for state employees to buy such drugs, which are often cheaper in Canada.November 20, 2003
• Minneapolis adult disability program faces closing
  Southside Services, a refuge for nearly 400 developmentally disabled residents, is preparing to close its doors after more than 30 years. Reeling from state budget cuts, Hennepin County zeroed out next year's funding for Southside.November 19, 2003
• Ill-will over Medicare agreement
  A tentative bipartisan agreement to pass an expansion of Medicare is running into opposition from some Democrats in the U.S. Senate. They're particularly upset about provisions that would allow private health plans to offer managed care within the federal program.November 18, 2003
• Hatch takes Glaxo to court over limits on Canadian drug sales
  Attorney General Mike Hatch asked a Hennepin County District judge Monday to force the drug company GlaxoSmithKline to produce any documents related to the company's drug sales to Canada. Hatch is investigating whether Glaxo and other drug companies are violating anti-trust laws by limiting drug sales to Canada.November 17, 2003

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