2005 Video Archive
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2005
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HEADLINES
Leaders continue negotiating with little progress the end the special session while the Senate holds hearings on the governor’s cigarette “fee” and we review what has and hasn’t gotten done so far this year at the Capitol.
MINORITY LEADERS
They were supposed to be more important than ever, so why are they missing from the bargaining table? We’ll talk with the always quotable minority leaders Sen. Dick Day and Rep. Matt Entenza.
LOVE TRAIN
This one you’ll want to share with a friend. Ride the "love train" that takes a few detours as we review the funniest highlights of the legislative session.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2005
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HEADLINES
The House is set to take up gun permits amid lots of new controversy and the Senate debates transportation including gas tax increases.
TOP DOGS
With days to go in this legislative session we have the two guys who must come to agreement to stop government from shuting down. Speaker Steve Sviggum and Majority Leader Dean Johnson join Mary live in the House Gallery.
INVISIBLE INSIDERS
It's been your favorite feature this season showing you the people behind the bills. We'll show you the highlights of the Invisibles: Lobbyists Unmasked.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 2005
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HEADLINES
A big, busy day in the House as members debate transportation and tax bills. A new case is made for a cigarette tax increase and another coalition calls for tax increases to solve the budget problem.
GOVERNOR LIVE
With less than two weeks to go in the legislative session we have the most important player in state government live. Hear Gov. Palwenty's thoughts about another session that appears headed for a train wreck.
INVISIBLES
A former lawmaker shares his secret for healthy living at the Capitol as Mary unmasks another lobbyist.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2005
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HEADLINES
The House passes a K-12 education bill, the Senate passes a health care bill and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle will support sales taxes for the Twins if their cities can tax too.
POLITICAL REPORTERS
Some of the keenest Capitol observers join us to de-spin the spin. Dane Smith from the Star Tribune and Rachel Stassen-Berger are our live guests.
CENTURY MARKS
More from a fascinating found album on the construction of the Capitol.
INVISIBLES
Tara Garman gives us the fresh perspective of a new lobbyist.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2005
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HEADLINES
An effort to reinstate the concealed weapon law picks up steam in both chambers, the House hashes it out over ethanol and the governor wants to require more money gets to the classroom.
FRESH FACES
Two freshmen are leading attempt to keep it civil and bi-partisan at the Capitol. See if Reps. Steve Simon and Mike Charron can rise above the intense partisanship.
CENTURY MARKS
We have some rare photos of the construction of the Capitol.
INVISIBLES
Ray Frost talks education and bioscience as he gives us a behind the scenes look at lobbying.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2005
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HEADLINES
The House passes its budget targets, the gay marriage issue gets even more interesting with accusations of a senator hiding behind bushes and a lawmaker coming out.
TARGETS
We'll talk budget targets now that the numbers are set. Reps. Anderson Kelliher and Seifert join us live to debate.
CENTURY MARKS
A look at 100 years of Capitol post cards.
INVISIBLES
John Apitz tells us why he transitioned from some high profile campaigns to the behind the scenes world of lobbying.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2005
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HEADLINES
The House approves a bonding bill while we're live on the air. Transportation and construction plans are big news.
END OF LIFE
In the wake of Terri Schiavo's death Sens. Fischbach and Hottinger debate end of life legislation.
CENTURY MARKS
While the world is mourning at St. Paul's Cathedral we look at our own world famous dome here at the Capitol.
INVISIBLES
He could have been your doctor instead he's keeping people healthy as a lobbyist. See Phil Stalboerger unmasked by Mary.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2005
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HEADLINES
The attorney general says the governor's gambling proposal is unconstitutional and there's a deal on a bonding bill.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation Chairs Murphy and Holberg talk congestion, transit, ethanol and plans to run for governor?
INVISIBLES
The gal behind the auto dealers shows her passion for cars and lobbying.
CENTURY MARKS
A powerful look at a century of mourning at the Capitol.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2005
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HEADLINES
A bonding conference committee tries in vain to get their work done before the holiday and the Senate passes a new approach to balancing the budget.
HOUSE LEADERS
Sviggum and Entenza go toe to toe to preview what's ahead after Easter break.
CENTURY MARKS
The history of women getting the vote in Minnesota.
INVISIBLES
O.J. Doyle used to saves lives on ambulances, now he lobbies for his fellow paramedics.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2005
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HEADLINES
A House committee starts hearings on several different gambling proposals, union members rally at the governor, lawmakers try to stop violence in Minneapolis, news on ethanol, wild rice, ATVs and more.
SLOTS IN BARS
Rep. Rukavina takes on Rep. Krinkie on the latest gambling proposal to hit the Capitol. This one puts slots in bars statewide.
CENTURY MARKS
Meet Cass Gilbert the kid.
INVISIBLES
Ron and Valerie Jerich, the top dogs in the lobbying world, reveal what makes them so darn effective.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2005
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HEADLINES
Plans to put a casino at Canterbury Park are back, Native Americans come to the Capitol to show they care about a lot more than just gambling, another broad coalition calls for more transportation funding and Gov. Pawlenty wants to give voters the right to reject local property tax increases.
RACINO RETURNS
Sens. Dick Day and John Hottinger square off over a bevy of gambling ideas. And we roll out a sweet surprise for our guests.
INVISIBLES
An activist turned lobbyist Mary Cecconi shares her insights and passion on lobbying.
CENTURY MARKS
Characters from the state's past come to life in the halls at the Capitol.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2005
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HEADLINES
A couple of big issues bite the dust in legislative committees: a statewide smoking ban and repeal of no-fault auto insurance.
FINANCIAL FORECAST
Two of the smartest guys with differing politics help us understand the new forecast information and budget implications.
CENTURY MARKS
The House photographer shows us some of his favorite images over the years.
THE INVISIBLES
Eric Hyland wears through a lot of shoes for law enforcement and the Minnsota Zoo as a lobbyist here at the Capitol.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 23, 2005
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HEADLINES
Lawmakers want gift cards to retain their value, cities want the right to vote on a casino location, Gophers and environmentalists rally in the Capitol Rotunda.
BONDING BILL
We have the big guys behind the bonding bill before their conference committee even begins. See veteran Chair Keith Langseth and new House Chair Dan Dorman begin negotiations on the bill to create 10,000 jobs in the state.
CENTURY MARKS
Cass Gilbert's family returns to the Capitol to honor the beautiful building's creator.
THE INVISIBLES
Parks and trails lobbyist Judy Erickson tells us about making it in a man's world.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16, 2005
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HEADLINES
All the bonding bills are out, see how lists for state projects stack up, lawmakers announce a plan to lower car insurance rates, an all-male slate of U of M Regents is approved and the governor talks gambling at the mall and prescriptions at casinos.
EDUCATION
Education chairs Kelley and Sykora are live in the House Gallery to talk about school funding, vouchers, performance pay for teachers and much more.
CENTURY MARKS
Minnesota's "Assistant Governor" 100 years ago was a Black man with a fascinating life story that could have led him to a professional baseball career but instead he made his mark by working for more governors than anyone in state history.
THE INVISIBLES
U.S. Senator Dean Barkley now uses his unique and independent experience to lobby lawmakers.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9, 2005
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HEADLINES
U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton announces he's not running for re-election, we list his possible replacements. More than a thousand students rally for a tuition freeze and hundreds rally for transportation.
In 2000, Mary Lahammer interviewed the three men on the final ballot for the U.S. Senate to learn more about them as individuals.
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HIGHER ED
Chairs Pappas and Nornes square off on funding for the U of M and MNSCU.
CENTURY MARKS
We explore the amazing history of the Capitol Mall.
THE INVISIBLES
Julian Loscalzo lobbies for exotic animals, sewers, stadiums, housing and more. Needless to say this guy is a character.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2, 2005
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HEADLINES
The annual Dick Day transportation plan is rolled out in entertaining fashion and House and Senate committees continue to tackle the question of what to do with sex offenders.
HEALTH CARE
Health chairs Berglin and Bradley square off on cuts to state health insurance and much more.
THE INVISIBLES
Sonnie Elliott shares her sunny personality as we unmask another lobbyist.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 26, 2005
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HEADLINES
The Chamber of Commerce announces a big plan to stop traffic congestion, a smoking ban gets its first hearing and former finance commissioners rip the governor's budget.
TAX TALK
Two fiesty and fun senators, Pogemiller and Belanger, join Mary live in the House Gallery to talk about what the governor's budget could mean for you.
CENTURY MARKS
The Capitol walls are crumbling while the state celebrates its 100th birthday.
THE INVISIBLES
Lobbyist Jim McGreevy is unmasked as he reveals what he liked to dress up in as a child.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19, 2005
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HEADLINES
The drug meth is marching into the metro, leaders are getting along and even agreeing to deadlines, the Senate proves the bonding bill is really on the fast track, and parents pack a press conference about school funding.
POLITICAL REPORTERS
We'll deconstruct the governor's State of the State Address with the Star Tribune's Dane Smith and MPR's Laura McCallum.
THE INVISIBLES
Meet the wonderwoman of tax lobbying, Jenny Engh.
CENTURY MARKS
See the amazing work of an African American stone mason a century past at the Capitol.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12, 2005
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HEADLINES
Texas Hold’em Poker in Minnesota? Hear the latest gambling legislation and attempts to help problem gamblers. Tax credits for contributions to the Tsunami disaster are breezing through the Legislature.
SENATE LEADERS
It’s a whole new world over the Senate this year. Peace and reconciliation are ruling. Hear what leaders are agreeing on this session.
CENTURY MARKS
Take a look at what has made our State Capitol one of the best for 100 years.
THE INVISIBLES
We unmask citizen lobbyist Rich Neumeister.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 5, 2005
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HEADLINES
Despite promising to get off to a fast start lawmakers are crawling along, the only real work happened in a Senate committee dealing with state bonding projects.
HOUSE LEADERS
Matt Entenza and Steve Sviggum join Mary in the House Gallery to sit side by side after squabbling on the House floor the day before. We'll see if these two leaders can hold their cacuses together and keep from fighting with each other with a new 2-seat margin.
WEEK IN REVIEW
The governor releases his revised bonding bill and looks forward to a position start to the session. The session officially starts and talk of conciliation is quickly replaced with several divisive votes on the House floor.
CENTURY MARKS
We'll celebrate the State Capitol's 100th birthday all season and tonight see a big birthday party in the wonderous rotunda.
THE INVISIBLES
The personality profiles you've come to love. This year we're unmasking lobbyists in "The Invisibles." Meet the power couple at the Capitol: Ron and Valerie Jerich.
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