When Republicans took control of the House and Senate last year, the way Minnesota Public Radio got state Legacy amendment money got new attention.

Some GOP legislators were upset that under the amendment, MPR had received a direct appropriation -- automatic money, in some Republican eyes. In 2010, the amount was $1.13 million. In 2011, it was $1.48 million.

For some, MPR is seen as a liberal media outlet. "If they weren't" biased in favor of liberals, "why is there a broad-based perception nationwide that they are? Where does that come from?" Sen. Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley, asked last year. "It's certainly not a vast right-wing conspiracy."

The Legislature last year made a subtle change. From now on, MPR would have to compete with others for state Legacy money. One year later? Not much of a change in the amount. In 2012, MPR is getting $1.3 million.

Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, chairman of the House Legacy Funding Division Committee, said the change was never about political retribution but about fairness to others seeking state money. "For me, it was looking at what made sense," said Urdahl. "MPR was very, somehow, fearful that they were going to get less money.

"I don't think [Republicans] wanted to stick it to MPR," he said. "I think some members were more comfortable voting for the bill by getting it that way."

Sen. Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul, isn't convinced. He said Republicans likely had "political concerns," for either ideological or policy reasons, about giving Legacy money directly to MPR. "They looked for some way to disguise it by coming up with this ruse of a [competitive] process," he said.

As the change was made last year, House Majority Leader Matt Dean of Dellwood said he reminded Urdahl of the "importance of making sure he has [Republican] caucus support" for Legacy funding. "MPR, it's safe to say, has been a concern in the past," Dean said.

Passed by voters in 2008, the Legacy amendment increased the state sales tax for 25 years to fund outdoors, clean water, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage projects.

Although MPR officials stressed that Legacy money was a small fraction of their overall budget, MPR President Bill Kling began last year's "Public Radio Day" at the State Capitol by urging citizen lobbyists to bend the ears of legislators and "give them hell."

"We welcomed the [Legislature's] decision when it was made," MPR spokesman Bill Gray said last week. "Public broadcasting projects made possible by Legacy funds have a positive impact on Minnesotans all over the state, and we look forward to continuing to create and distribute such innovative and impactful programming."