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Who's Ahead?
2003 Video Archive
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2003
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HEADLINES
The new law takes effect that allows more Minnesotans to carry concealed weapons, opponents and proponents sound off. We review what's holding things up in this special session including a bonding bill and health and human services.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Republicans want to try to change the new gun law the day before it officially becomes law. The House passes transportation and tax bills.
MINORITY LEADERS
The spirited and feisty Minority Leaders Sen. Dick Day and Rep. Matt Entenza show us how they are major players this session.
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
A Racino, taxes, ethics and much more....
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2003
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HEADLINES
We review what important legislation has and hasn't passed so far. Gov. Pawlenty has his first bill signing ceremony on a repeal of the Profile of Learning. And Republicans demand disciplinary action against a DFL staffer.
WEEK IN REVIEW
A look at a long weekend as the regular session ends with a meltdown in the Senate. The special session begins with good intentions and then slows to a snail's pace.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
Sen. John Hottinger, DFL Majority Leader and Rep. Steve Sviggum, Republican House Speaker, square off about the end of the special session.
HILARIOUS HIGHLIGHTS
A look at the amazing things lawmakers say and do on the House and Senate floors.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2003
HEADLINES
We have the latest from evening budget negotiations as lawmakers try to avoid a special session, House Democrats try to negotiate with the Taxpayers League, Republicans urge Democrats to get on board with their "racino" plan, domestic abuse victims try to save their funding, and lawmakers vote for a BWCA land swap.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Gov. Pawlenty talks special session as he hosts his Biosciences Summit, the House votes on a bill to give childhood sexual abuse victims more time to sue, the Senate passes its budget plan to raise taxes, Prairie Island is debated, and more...
THE GOVERNOR LIVE!
Gov. Pawlenty tells us he'd rather have a government shutdown than increase taxes. He defends his decisions on social issues and he takes a commissioner quiz!
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
In our last installment we introduce you to the first woman to run the IRRRA Sandy Layman.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2003
HEADLINES
The House debates its tax bill that includes no tax increases. The Governor gives House and Senate Republican caucuses a pep talk. The Senate hears from former finance commissioners on the tax issue. And environmentalists give a report card on the session.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Poll numbers showing support for tax increases cause DFLers to dig in and talk about forcing a special session. The Senate passes bills that lengthen the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse and extends bar closing times to 2am. The governor announces new online drivers' services.
POLITICAL REPORTERS
KARE-11's Kerri Miller and Pioneer Press' Jim Ragsdale join Mary live in the House Gallery to give you a behind the scenes look at the sesssion and the end game to come.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Labor and Industry Commisioner Scott Brener shows us what weapon he'd like to use in taking on his fellow commissioners.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2003
HEADLINES
The Pawlenty administration releases its long-awaited proposal to change local government aid and the House debates its K-12 and Jobs bills. Also groups are upset about possible changes for charter schools.
WEEK IN REVIEW
A new concealed weapon bill becomes law after passing the Senate for the first time and getting the governor's signature. And the House begins passing its budget bills beginning with transportation, judiciary (included double bunking and possible prison privatization), higher education, ag & environment (mourning dove hunting season included).
TAX CHAIR VS. TAX CHAIR
Rep. Ron Abrams and Sen. Larry Pogemiller square off on the new LGA proposal and proposed tax policies that will be affecting you!
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Find out why Public Safety Commissioner Rich Stanek's favorite objects include his gun, a talking cop cookie jar and a Norman Rockwell picture.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2003
HEADLINES
It's a very big news day at the Capitol. The full House is scheduled to vote on a "racino" and the extension of concealed weapons permits. The Senate is set to pass its higher ed bill. We'll take a look at the Minnesota Planning Agency on its last day in existence. And Sen. Dean Johnson is promoted from Colonel to General in the National Guard in a dramatic Capitol ceremony.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Lawmakers return from a holiday break to take meals away from prisoners, propose a transportation plan with gas and license tab tax increases, ATVers fill a committee room to hear a new plan to limit where they can travel and farmers are upset about proposed changes to feedlot rules.
HOUSE LEADERS
Reps. Matt Entenza and Erik Paulsen, the minority and majority leaders, join us in live in the House Gallery to discuss a big day on the house for gambling and guns. We'll tackle some of the broader session issues as well.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Health Commissioner Dianne Mandernach shows us what she brought with her from Moose Lake as she talks about the future of her agency.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2003
HEADLINES
As lawmakers head home for Passover and Easter holidays we'll review what they have and haven't accomplished this session. Various religions hold a prayer vigil for lawmakers. The House and Senate meet in session. The Senate is trying to repass some of Ventura's vetoes of construction projects.
WEEK IN REVIEW
A 24-hour waiting period for abortion becomes law, groups protest cuts to local government aid and early childhood education, revised education standards are presented and First Lady Mary Pawlenty gains bi-partisan support for her effort to help military families.
STATEWIDE POLITICAL REPORTERS
Forum Communications' Don Davis and Duluth News Tribune's Scott Thistle delay their vacations long enough to talk Capitol politics with Mary.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Corrections Commissioner Joan Fabian tells us why she finally said yes to the job after several other governors asked her to apply.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2003
HEADLINES
There's more proposals to raise your taxes and this time lawmakers are talking about increasing sales tax, gas tax and license tabs to benefit transportation. The governor shows his support for helping crime victims while defending his cuts to programs that help crime victims. A Senate committee hears a compromise bill on more nuclear storage at Prairie Island. And the League of Minnesota Cities sounds off at the Capitol.
WEEK IN REVIEW
The Senate DFL releases its long-awaited budget plan, the House adds anti-abortion language onto a bill dealing with circuses with clowns looking on, a Senate committee hears the "racino" bill for the first time and Rep. Arlon Lindner's ethics hearing begins.
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
Fresh off face-to-face negotiations with the governor, House Speaker Steve Sviggum and Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger join us live in the gallery to talk about their budgets, other legislative issues and the political end game.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Bureau of Mediation Services Commissioner James Cunnigham Jr. talks about what it's like being the biggest commissioner with the smallest agency.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2003
HEADLINES
Your license tab fees could be going up, the House picks one casino bill over another, Rep. Lindner is answering to claims of racism again and more than a thousand red-shirted seniors fill the Capitol.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Nonprofits and even Republicans call for tax increases but one proposal is "revenue neutral." The House passes a 24 hour waiting period for abortion.
TAX FREE ZONES
Rep. Doug Magnus/R-Slayton and Rep. Ann Lenczewski/DFL-Bloomington debate the merits of establishing tax free zones to stimulate economic development.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Human Rights Commissioner Velma Korbel (a former naval cryptologist!) talks policies and shares some fun photos.
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 26, 2003
HEADLINES
Senators propose terrorism preparations, a Senate committee hears a bill to put visa expiration dates on drivers licenses, a rally for a new casino proposal and the idea of tax free zones has a hearing in the House.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Senators squabble over semantics in a resolution to support the troops while the House adds graduation standards to a pledge of allegiance bill, Rep. Lindner's attorney wants his ethics hearing to remain open, Northern Minnesota tribes back a bill to build a casino in the metro area, another House committee gives the go ahead to more nuclear storage at Prairie Island, a senator wants to trim state government by cutting commissioners and the governor addresses police chiefs on homeland security.
ANOTHER CASINO IDEA
Rep. Bill Haas and Rep. Bill Hilty debate the merits of a metro casino to benefit the state and the Red Lake and White Earth reservations in a unique partnership.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson tells an embarrassing little known fact about Mary as they talk ag policy and trade missions.
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 19, 2003
HEADLINES
Lawmakers and the governor get behind troops headed to Iraq, Taxpayer day at the Capitol brings supporters of Pawlenty's budget, Green and Independence Parties are angry about proposed cuts to a campaign fund, supporters of clean energy rally and a debate over a gun bill continues in the Senate.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Governor Pawlenty's Homeland Security Subcabinet assure the state they're ready for terrorism, more debate over nuclear waste at Prairie Island, the Senate has its first hearing on a concealed weapon bill and Democrats introduce consumer privacy measures.
NEW NUCLEAR WASTE IN MINNESOTA?
Sen. Ellen Anderson and Sen. Steve Murphy square off on storing more nuclear waste on Prairie Island.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Find out why Trade and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Kramer's claim to be a "boring guy" is anything but true!
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 12, 2003
HEADLINES
Mike Hatch reveals some new information in allegations of a "pay off" in Pawlenty's administration, the governor releases another $150 million in budget cuts and Xcel Energy makes a pitch for more nuclear storage at Prairie Island.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Rep. Arlon Lindner's critics grow as lawmakers file ethics charges after comments about jews, gays and blacks. Non-profits announce a big ad campaign to take on budget cuts and a citizen advisory committee announces new academic standards.
NEW EDUCATION STANDARDS
Education Committee Chairs Sen. Steve Kelley and Rep. Barb Sykora debate what will likely replace the Profile of Learning.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Revenue Commissioner Dan Salomone talks about his love for vintage cars and tax returns.
WEDNESDAY, MAR. 5, 2003
HEADLINES
A House committee tackles traffic congestion, a Senate committee tries to restrict video games, a women's group responds to the governor's budget and people are given information on predatory lending.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Sen. Dick Day announces his "Start Your Engines" transportation proposal, survivors of sexual abuse want the statute of limitations extended, lawmakers elect U of M Regents, 24 hour waiting period for abortion passes a House committee, union workers call for a tax increase and a Senate committee approves a prescription drug plan for seniors.
POLITICAL REPORTERS
KARE-11's Kerri Miller and Star Tribune's Dane Smith join Mary live in the House Gallery to dish the dirt on the governor, the legislature and much more.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Met Council Chair Peter Bell details his "Earth, Wind and Fire" days and well as talks about why he thinks traffic congestion is the top livability issue for the metro area.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26, 2003
HEADLINES
Lawmakers meet to try to appoint U of M regents, potent protestors advocate for people with disabilities, concealed weapon bill passes another committee, a bill to lower the BAC to .08 also passes a committee and Republicans keep a House seat in a special election.
WEEK IN REVIEW
A proposal for a "racino" is introduced, House passes changes to multiple liability lawsuits, the Labor and Industry commissioner fights for her job and environmentalists lobby for clean water.
RACINO?
House author Rep. Mark Buesgens/R-Jordan and John McCarthy from the Indian Gaming Association square off on building a casino at Canterbury Park.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Human Services Commissioner Kevin Goodno shares how he lost his first run for office (as a kid), favorite photos, first record, oh, there's some substantive conversation about policies as well.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19, 2003
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HEADLINES
A Senate committee questions whether Pawlenty's fee increases are really tax increases and if government is really being reformed and money being saved through agency and commission consolidations. The House Tax Committee details and squabbles over budget cuts. Smoke-Free Coalition talks about lives lost to tobacco and you guessed it--budget cuts. Governor Pawlenty meets the group that will write the state's new graduation standards.
WEEK IN REVIEW
We provide a broad overview of the governor's budget announcement, an effort to stop domestic partner benefits and ratify a state worker contract, a proposal to open up sane lanes, House votes to repeal the Profile of Learning, and DFLers crack down on identity theft.
BRIGHT BUDGET MINDS SHOWDOWN
Finance Commissioner Dan McElroy and Minnesotan's for Tax Justice's Wayne Cox delve into the budget from two different perspectives.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Employee Relations Commissioner Cal Ludeman tells us why there's "a new cowboy in town."
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12, 2003
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HEADLINES
Democrats pick up a seat in the House in an upset special election victory, more ideas to lower prescription drug costs, and thousands of college students rally and testify at the capitol as higher education takes cuts.
LOCAL AID ON THE BLOCK
Local government aid is one of the most contentious issues this session. Money that helps keep your city running could be running out. The State Auditor will square off with the St. Cloud mayor on the future of LGA.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke shares some little know facts, favorite (and funny!) photos, and talks about the enormous challenges she's facing.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5, 2003
2/5 Update
HEADLINES
Gov. Pawlenty gives lawmakers until the end of Thursday to come up with a budget deal before he unallots Friday morning, more nuclear waste could be stored at Minnesota's power plants, there's an effort to take phosphorus out of dishwasher detergent and advocates for arts education appear at the Capitol.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Legislative leaders get closer to a budget deal, groups criticize Pawlent's welfare reform, Million Mom March try to stop conceal carry gun legislation, meet the new Health Commissioner, senior groups speak out against predatory lending, and CWD in elk in Minnesota.
BUDGET CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
We'll do our best to strike a deal between Rep. Jim Knoblach and Sen. Dick Cohen as they have one day to compromise before the governor unallots.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Some fun photos and little known facts about DNR Commissioner Gene Merriam.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29, 2003
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HEADLINES
Gov. Pawlenty talks education reform and there's some startling news in Minnesota's preparations for bioterrorism and nuclear terrorism.
WEEK IN REVIEW
The House passed its budget plan, Senate Republicans proposed freezing all public employee salaries, mothers shared sad stories about new immunization proposals, Pawlenty tries to fix up MNDOT, new immigrant licenses will now be voted on by the full House.
STATEWIDE POLITICAL REPORTERS
Some of the biggest issues in the short-term budget fix has pitted farmers against Iron Rangers. Don Davis from Forum Communications and Scott Thistle from the Duluth News Tribune talk Greater Minnesota politics.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Chief of Staff Charlie Weaver shares a little known fact that might embarrass his boss, but they both have a sense of humor, right?
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22, 2003
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HEADLINES
On the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade thousands come to the capitol to support and protest an all pro-life majority in state government. Education Minnesota wants an inflationary increase for public schools. The state's death benefit fund for emergency workers has dried up.
MINORITY LEADERS
Sen. Dick Day and Rep. Matt Entenza square off on some of the session's biggest issues.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
Lt. Gov./Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau tells us lots of little know facts (such as she wakes up at 3:30am every day!).
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15, 2003
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HEADLINES
Committees are pouring through the details and hearing about the pain of the first round of budget cuts. Attorney General Mike Hatch has taken on another Minnesota HMO.
PAWLENTY
Find out what the new governor really thinks about the media.
WEEK IN REVIEW
A transportation plan that includes a tax increase, Pawlenty appoints more commissioners and the Gov. reveals his big short term budget fix.
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen and Senator John Hottinger chat about the budget cuts and what's to come this session.
PAWLENTY'S PEOPLE
It's our new feature to introduce you to a new administration. Commissioner Dan McElroy tells us a little know fact about him and details his challenge in helping balance a $4.5 Billion shortfall.
On Wednesday January 8th, our Mary Lahammer sat down with newly-sworn-in governor Tim Pawlenty. Here's a treat for you, the interview in its entirety.
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WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8, 2003
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HEADLINES
House Republicans have increased their numbers and announce their agenda for the session. Opponents of the Profile of Learning rally at the Capitol as the graduation standards will likely be repealed this year. Also an ATV report is released.
PAWLENTY INTERVIEW
Mary Lahammer squares off with the new chief executive Tim Pawlenty (although it really shouldn't be as contentious as those Ventura interviews). They will cover all the issues: security, education, guns, transportation and much, much more!
THE FRESHMAN
Sen. Dan Sparks had to fight his way into office, going through several recounts and court decisions. Now he's officially the senator from Austin and we shadowed him his first day in office. It's a fascinating, candid and behind the scenes look at the freshman everybody knows.
WEEK IN REVIEW
A quick look back a the week's big events: the inaugural and first day of the legislative session.
CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS
Hear from the Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Auditor and Lt. Governor and what they plan to do in office.