Video Archive

Almanac: At the Capitol - May 21, 2008 (05/21/08)

Headlines (05/21/08)

The lawfirm hired for an independent study of the 35W bridge collapse reported its findings to legislators today, citing a number of failures.

Press Reviews (05/21/08)

Mary and two Capitol colleagues — Tom Scheck from Minnesota Public Radio and Brian Bakst of the Associated Press — discuss the big, and not so big, accomplishments of Session 2008.

Funny Highlights (05/21/08)

An annual tradition, we close out the show with a look at the session's lighter moments, including the funny things lawmakers say and do when end-of-session sleep deprivation sets in.

Almanac: At the Capitol - May 14, 2008 (05/14/08)

Headlines (05/14/08)

Finding property tax relief that pleases everyone remains the biggest outstanding issue, funding for the Mall of America expansion is in question and vandals strike the Capitol today, defacing three gubernatorial portraits.

House Leaders (05/14/08)

Only four days remain for lawmakers to pass bills this session. Mary checks in on the negotiations with DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Republican Minority Leader Marty Seifert.

Dennis Ozment (05/14/08)

After 12 terms in the House, the Republican from Rosemont is stepping down. Ozment joins Mary live in the House Gallery for a look back ... and ahead.

Almanac: At the Capitol - May 7, 2008 (05/07/08)

Headlines (05/07/08)

An emergency conference committee is called to deal with the governor’s transportation veto threats, Democrats are angry about the status of the report to raise the minimum wage, the Dangerous Dogs Bill heads to the floor and food and fellowship abound at the annual Senate Potluck.

Senate Leaders (05/07/08)

How are budget negotiations going as the session nears its end? Mary checks in with DFL Assistant Majority Leader Tarryl Clark and Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem.

Frank Moe (05/07/08)

The retiring assistant house majority leader joins us to look back at his two terms — and ahead to his future plans.

Almanac: At the Capitol - April 30, 2008 (04/30/08)

Headlines (04/30/08)

Mary talks to Al Franken about his tax troubles, budget negotiations pick up with talk of bringing bonding projects back into the mix, and a Senate committe meeting about the NWA merger turns feisty on the subject of jobs.

First-Termers Panel (04/30/08)

Our special session first-termers are here for another visit. We'll catch up with DFL Sen. Kevin Dahle and Republican Rep. Steve Drazkowski and look at the final weeks through their freshmen rose-colored glasses.

Capitol Cartoonist (04/30/08)

Our essayist David Gillette is back for his final visit this session and shares his closing thoughts.

Almanac: At the Capitol - April 23, 2008 (04/23/08)

Headlines (04/23/08)

The environment dominates floor sessions the day after Earth Day, the Senate passes the Abigail Taylor Pool Safety Act, Tim Pawlenty announces members of the 21st Century Tax Reform Commission and a robot built by Eagan high school students visits the capitol.

Pawlenty's Park? (04/23/08)

Lake Vermilion State Park — the governor wants to create it but the legislature hasn't funded it ... yet. Is it an end-of-session bargaining chip? We pose that question to Mark Holsten, Governor Pawlenty's DNR Commissioner, and DFL Rep. Tom Rukavina, who lives in Virginia, MN.

Reuel Harmon Award (04/23/08)

Former U.S. Senator David Durenberger is receiving a lifetime achievement award for his work championing the great outdoors. We'll talk with the senator and get a sneak peak at the award given by the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota.

Almanac: At the Capitol - April 16, 2008 (04/16/08)

Headlines (04/16/08)

Legislative leaders met with the governor to talk about end-of-session negotiations. The Senate gives preliminary approval to a K-12 education bill with some interesting policy changes. A heated debate about surrogate motherhood takes place on the Senate floor. And activists urge lawmakers to make funding for long-term care a top priority.

Medical Marijuana (04/16/08)

Medical marijuana is back and could make it this year, but Governor Pawlenty says he'll side with law enforcement and use his veto. We bring you both sides. Republican House author Chris DeLaForest and Police Officer Association Head Bill Gillespie square off.

How It Happens (04/16/08)

This week David's essay zeroes in on a tiny fraction of lawmakers — those who voluntarily call it quits.

Almanac: At the Capitol - April 9, 2008 (04/09/08)

Headlines (04/09/08)

A controversial bill for legalizing medical marijuana is heading to the House floor, lawmakers get an update on their own 35-W bridge investigation, the governor attends signing ceremonies for the projects that weren't cut from the bonding bill and climate change critics speak out against an advisory group's recent report.

Health Care Reform (04/09/08)

Why has health care been a bit of a battleground this session? Mary finds out when Committee Chair Linda Berglin and Republican Committee Lead Laura Brod join her live in the House gallery.

Minute Man (04/09/08)

The fate of vetoed or excluded state construction projects may be up in the air, but our Minute Man is still on the job. Tonight he hears a bonding pitch for the U of M's Bell Museum, which got the ax from the governor.

How It Happens (04/09/08)

Tonight, David Gillette goes out on a limb with this look at the leadership family tree.

Almanac: At the Capitol - April 2, 2008 (04/02/08)

Headlines (04/02/08)

The bonding bill heads to the governor, who is expected to veto it. After a heated debate, the Senate passes the tax bill — but without the Vikings stadium study.

Bonding Bill (04/02/08)

Today, the House and Senate passed the conference committee version of the bonding bill. Mary talks with Pawlenty's Finance Commissioner, Tom Hanson, about what to expect from the governor.

Minute Man (04/02/08)

The Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Health Care makes his bonding pitch for a new veterans home to replace Building Nine.

How It Happens (04/02/08)

This week's illustrated essay recognizes Capitol pages, the legislature's unsung heroes. Then Page D.J. Danielson joins Mary and David live in the House gallery.

Almanac: At the Capitol - March 26, 2008 (03/26/08)

Headlines (03/26/08)

The bonding and 35W victims compensation bills enter conference committee, the Senate releases its tax bill, the Mall of America seeks tax breaks for its expansion project and Norm Coleman kicks off his re-election campaign.

House Leaders (03/26/08)

Majority Leader Tony Sertich and Minority Leader Marty Seifiert join Mary live in the House Gallery. She asks what they heard from consitituents when they headed home for Easter break and for their end-of-session predictions.

Minute Man (03/26/08)

The Minnesota Zoo brought its creatures to the Capitol to make their bonding pitch. Our Minute Man captured the action.

How It Happens (03/26/08)

After a week spent with lobbyists, David emerges from the vortex to tell his tale.

Almanac: At the Capitol - March 19, 2008 (03/19/08)

Headlines (03/19/08)

Education, taxes and the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq War dominated the day's news.

Minute Man (03/19/08)

The city of Bemidji is seeking bonding money for a new regional events center. Our Minute Man hears all about it.

35W Bridge Compensation Fund (03/19/08)

Sen. Ron Latz and Rep. Tom Emmer join Mary live in the House Gallery to talk about competing 35W Bridge victim compensation plans.

Recognizing a Capitol Colleague (03/19/08)

Bill Salisbury from the Pioneer Press was recently honored by the U of M Journalism school for his work at the Capitol.