Plastic baby bottles products containing the additive bisphenol-A (BPA) will be banned from sale in Minnesota starting in 2011. Minnesota is the first state in the country to put such a ban in place. Kathleen Schuler with the Institute for Agricultural and Trade Policy explains.
Governor Pawlenty unveiled a new program this week that will create secure online consumer medical accounts for state workers. Is this part of the future for all of us? We peer into health care's future with the aid of Minnesota Health Commissioner Sanne Magnan, medical ethicist Jeff Kahn and physician Maureen Reed.
A public meeting this week exposed more parking problems along University Avenue once the new light rail tracks go in. We hear from the Central Corridor project manager and from a concerned neighborhood group.
A few weeks back we introduced you to the endorsed Independence Party candidate for U.S. Senate. This week we hear from two other well-known candidates running in the IP Senate primary.
Starting Friday it's now illegal to read or send text messages while behind the wheel. Even if stopped in traffic. Find out how this new law will work from guest Cheri Marti from the Department of Public Safety.
It was a big story in 2006 when six imams were pulled of a plane and detained at Twin Cities International Airport. David Hanners of the St. Paul Pioneer Press has a surprising update to the story.
Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 3:18 pm
The love was everywhere. The love was bi-partisan. The love was coming from the governor to lawmakers, even DFL lawmakers. House Tax Chair Ann Lenczewski got an enormous amount of praise for helping making the whole end of session deal happen. Bonding Chairs Langseth and Hausman got humorous props too. Hausman who originally had her key project Central Corridor axed by the gov in the first bonding bill today said "we are celebrating and joyous." Of course the bonding bill creates the first new state park in 30 years, builds a new veterans home and starts a new transit line between the Twin Cities. Pawlenty noted that the "path was a little bumpy" on the bonding bill, but his strategy of line-item vetoes worked and many call it the turning point of the session.
Healthcare Chairs Huntley and Berglin (who could not attend) were also congratulated on a package that creates better affordability, quality and accessibility. Huntley said it was the most important bill in almost decades. The governor said it could create $7 billion in savings. It insures 12,000 more Minnesotans.
A couple of other notes from a fun and long news conference: Pawlenty joked that his vocal cords still had not fully recovered from his hockey injury. That could be an issue as he continues to stump for his friend John McCain, but his self-deprecating humor goes over well as always. He says he will likely veto the mortgage foreclosure bill that is sitting on his desk because it would make Minnesota "an island" and "drive up credit costs for the 89% of Minnesotans not in foreclosure." He will also line item money for California car standards from the budget bill because that policy language did not pass.
The love was everywhere. The love was bi-partisan. The love was coming from the governor to lawmakers, even DFL lawmakers. House Tax Chair Ann Lenczewski got an enormous amount of praise for helping making the whole end of session deal happen. Bonding Chairs Langseth and Hausman got humorous props too.
Dominic Papatola is intrigued by theatrical smoking in local bars.
Ten days are left this legislative session. Mary Lahammer gives you a scorecard on where progress stands on the session's big issues.
