A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, March 10, 1999

For the fifth time in as many years, California lawmakers are debating a bill that would require insurance companies to cover contraceptives. The same topic of discussion turned a bit uncivil in Georgia and Connecticut on Tuesday. The Georgia lawmakers who were tackling the issue nearly tackled each other.

"There is no one whose 'turn' it is" – GOP presidential candidate Lamar Alexander, on why he will fare better than he did in 1996. (Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H., March 10) .

• House Votes to Require Insurance Coverage of Birth Control (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 10)
• Legislators Renew Bid to Require Coverage of Contraceptives (Los Angeles Times, March 10)
• 'Pill Bill' Returns, Fervor And All (The Hartford Courant, March 10)

Connerly Joins Texas Lawmaker in Next Fight Against Affirmative Action
A Texas Republican on Tuesday introduced a bill patterned after California's Prop. 209, which ended the use of racial and gender preferences in state government programs. State Rep. Robert Talton was joined by affirmative action opponent Ward Connerly at Tuesday's announcement of the new bill.
• Lawmaker's Bill Takes Aim at Affirmative Action in Texas (San Antonio Express-News, March 10)

The bill could have an impact on presidential politics. Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R), who has been effective at wooing Latino voters, had no comment on the proposal.
• McCain, Bush Fight to Get Latino Vote (The Arizona Republic, March 10)

Senate 2000: Michigan's Blanchard Won't Challenge Abraham
Former Michigan governor James Blanchard (D) said on Tuesday that he would not challenge Republican Sen. Spencer Abraham in 2000. Blanchard said he was discouraged by the prospect of having to raise $8 million.
• Blanchard Decides Not to Challenge Abraham (Detroit Free Press, March 10)

Arkansas Lawmakers Refuse to Spend Money on Clinton Home
Although only eight members of the Arkansas state House voted against a bill to spend $500,000 preserving President Clinton's boyhood home, the measure received little support. Fifty legislators – including 33 Democrats – decided to either vote "present" or skip the vote altogether.
• Budgeting Concerns Turn Back Bill on Clinton's Hope Home (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, March 10)

Oklahoma Latest State to Tackle Cockfighting
Encouraged by successful battles against the scourge of cockfighting in Arizona and Missouri last year, a group called Citizens Halting Inhumane Cockfighting is attempting to get a measure on the 2000 ballot in Oklahoma that would ban the activity.
• Cockfighting Foes Begin Ballot Effort (The Oklahoman, March 10)

Ryan Thornburg can be reached at ryan.thornburg@washingtonpost.com