Topics

Government

• Week in Review
  On the Week in Review: reactions to the latest, confusing economic signals, the budget proposals from Minneapolis and St. Paul and the California recall.August 15, 2003
• La Crosse will appeal Ten Commandments ruling
  The La Crosse City Council plans to appeal a recent court decision calling for the removal of a Ten Commandments statue. Now it's likely the case will advance on to the federal court of appeals in Chicago.August 13, 2003
• State announces plans to speed up work on 12 highway projects
  Gov. Tim Pawlenty says work on 12 Minnesota highway projects will be speeded up because of a transportation package passed by the Legislature. He released the list of projects Thursday.July 31, 2003
• Health costs grew by double digits in 2002
  The Minnesota Health Department says health care costs increased 16 percent in 2002 for people enrolled in private health insurance plans. It's the largest increase since the Health Department started collecting the data in the mid-'90s. The report also says employee premiums increased 10 percent, the fourth straight year of double-digit increases.July 28, 2003
• Aide: Allegations surrounding Andreotti will be released when he resigns
  The allegations driving an investigation of Minnesota's top military official will be revealed when he leaves office Aug. 8 or possibly earlier, Gov. Tim Pawlenty's top aide said Thursday.July 25, 2003
• Big changes for the Minnesota Extension Service
  The Univerisity of Minnesota has decided to consolidate its extension service to 18 regional centers. Some are concerned about what this will mean for 4H programs, agricultural advice and other outreach currently done at more than 100 county-based centers.July 24, 2003
• Red ink worries
  Some economists are concerned that the record federal budget deficit will have a dramatic impact on taxpayers' pocketbooks, particularly as the baby boom generation begins to retire.July 18, 2003
• Youth programs hard hit by budget cuts
  Funding for teen programs around Minnesota is dwindling as a result of the state budget crisis. As youth programs statewide reduce their services for things like housing and employment, there's growing concern no one's left to pick up the slack.July 16, 2003
• Day 1 of new budget year brings more protests
  Minnesota's new two-year budget took effect Tuesday, marked by protests and dire predictions. The budget erases what was projected to be a $4.2 billion deficit with one-time money, payment shifts, fee increases and spending cuts. Some proposed welfare cuts were temporarily blocked by a Ramsey County judge, but other cuts across state government began as scheduled.July 1, 2003
• Abortion waiting period law goes into effect
  The Minnesota Health Department reports Tuesday that the number of abortions performed in 2002 was the lowest since the department started collecting comprehensive annual data in 1998. The report comes on the same day that a new law that requires women to wait 24 hours before receiving an abortion goes into effect. As of today, abortion providers and family planning clinics are also required to provide women seeking an abortion with specific information about the potential risks and complications of the procedure.July 1, 2003
• Judge blocks state from cutting welfare programs
  Welfare revisions scheduled to take effect Tuesday are on hold after a county judge blocked the state from cutting benefits to thousands of low-income families. Ramsey County District Judge Judith Tilsen halted the benefit cuts with a temporary restraining order Monday, saying she was concerned that some of the changes were being made without federal approval.July 1, 2003
• More Medicare coverage...at a price
  Medicare may soon offer a prescription drug benefit if a proposal working through Congress is approved. But the coverage is not as comprehensive as some would have liked, while others warn the program will drive Medicare into the red by the time most baby boomers need it.June 23, 2003
• Cities in crisis
  Many cities in the nation struggle to provide services and blame shrinking tax bases for their troubles. Meanwhile, there are added costs from providing security against terrorism threats and loss of state funds.June 17, 2003
• Carlson critical of Pawlenty on credit rating
  Minnesota has lost its top credit rating from one of three Wall Street bond houses. Moody's Investors Services Monday knocked the state's rating down a notch from Aaa to Aa1. The change means it will likely cost more for the state to borrow money. Former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson is critical of how Gov. Pawlenty is handling the state's finances, and says the downgrade sends a bad signal about financial management. Carlson talked with Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer.June 17, 2003
• Parents of disabled children face large increases in cost of care
  About 4,700 Minnesota families with disabled children have until July 1 to decide whether to continue participating in a state-sponsored supplemental insurance plan. The Department of Human Services is sending letters to families notifying them that rates could go up to 1,000 percent higher as a result of state budget cuts. Proponents of the new law say the fees are based on a family's ability to pay. But several families say they can't afford the increase.June 10, 2003

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