We talk health care and the other big ticket issues of the day with Republicans Fritz Knaak and John Berns and Democrats Ember Reichgott Junge and Andy Dawkins.
The latest on the flooding in the Red River Valley, a variety of perspectives on the legislature at mid-session, a new book featuring the 40+ years of photographs of Minnesotans is profiled, and an out-sized meeting of mystery writers is previewed in today's episode.
Bick Smith heads out on a modern adventure.
The happenings of this week in Minnesota.
Paul Douglas with WeatherNation joins us live with the latest weather and flooding forecasts for the ravaged Red River valley. Paul also walks us through a list of helpful websites to check this weekend.
Should Minnesota adjust prison sentences in light of the state budget shortfall? Should some be adjusted anyway? We hear from Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman and former Hennepin County Attorney Tom Johnson.
That Tim Pawlenty is carrying a high seed in NPR's political version of March Madness?
Sixty regional mystery writers will descend upon the Once Upon A Crime bookstore in Minneapolis on Saturday March 28. Find out how to come meet them as we talk to bookstore co-owner Gary Schulze.
Mary Lahammer says our state lawmakers are getting a bit chippy as the session enters its second half.
For more than forty years Tom Arndt has quietly captured images of the people of Minnesota on his camera. And they've been collected in a new book by the U of M Press. Tom joins us to talk about his craft and show us some of his favorite photos.
Ex legislators give us their sense of the goings on in St. Paul. Republicans John Berns and Dan McElroy sit down on the couch with Democrats Ember Reichgott Junge and Andy Dawkins.
We explain to you the tricky right answer to last week's Index File question... toss a new question your way and then play a music clip of Korean violinist Chee Yun who performed in Studio B ten years ago this very week.
We talk taxes, voting reforms and big deficits. Former DFL lawmakers Ember Reichgott Junge and Wes Skoglund have some give and take with ex-GOP legislators Dan Dorman and John Berns.
Democrats Jane Ranum and Andy Dawkins compare notes with Republicans Fritz Knaak and soon-to-retire Rep. John Berns.
Our rookie group of lawmakers return to deliver their assessment of the session just ended.
Friday, May 18, 2007 - 6:15 pm
I was surprised to read Rep. Siefert's
latest blog submission. I'm not sure what's with all the doom and gloom considering he told his local Marshall paper that he is optimistic that the legislative session can end on time.
We're awfully busy with end-of-session negotiations, so I must be brief. Here's what I offer to the blog world at this critical juncture.
The following is an exhaustive list of what minority leader Siefert and his caucus have brought in a positive manner to the 2007 legislative debate:
- Rep. Cornish brought everyone cake on his birthday.
- Rep. Finstad's kids stop by the floor once in a while (they're really cute kids.
- With all of Rep. Siefert's random rants on the floor, I've been able to catch up on my constituent email.
- Rep. Berns' kids visit, too, and they're just as cute as Finstad's.
- Bipartisan support for the Education, Public Safety, Environment, and Agriculture bills.
A point of clarification, Rep. Siefert mentioned that 4 of the past 7 years have resulted in special sessions. Oddly enough, he forget to mention his party was in control at the time.
I was surprised to read Rep. Siefert's
latest blog submission. I'm not sure what's with all the doom and gloom considering he told his local Marshall paper that he is optimistic that the legislative session can end on time.
When the 2007 legislative session began, we picked a group of four first-term lawmakers to check in with from time to time during their rookie season. Democrats Patricia Torres Ray and Kathy Brynaert sit across the couch from Republicans Bill Ingebrigtsen and John Berns.
Our group of first-time lawmakers make their second Almanac appearance. Republicans Bill Ingebrigtsen and John Berns sit down on the couch with DFLers Patricia Torres Ray and Kathy Brynaert.
It's an Almanac tradition. Each year we elect a new state Senate and House we pick a group of four first-time lawmakers to share their experience. We unveil this year's panel: Republicans Bill Ingebrigtsen and John Berns are joined by DFLers Patricia Torres Ray and Kathy Brynaert.
Our new series where we profile the huge crop of freshmen lawmakers. First up: John Berns and Patricia Torres Ray.
