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By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, March 17, 1999

Facing a court-imposed deadline to decide how money from the state's settlement with tobacco companies should be spent, the embattled Democratic speaker of the North Carolina House helped push through a bill dividing the money. The nation's top burley-producing tobacco state will split its $4.6 billion between a foundation to help farm communities, a trust fund for tobacco farmers and a healthcare fund.

"As long as people continue down the road of believing in a living Constitution, we're in trouble." – Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, in a speech at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., March 17)

• Lawmakers OK Tobacco Deal (The News & Observer, March 17)
• House Speaker Rejoices in Victory, But This Fight May Be First of Many (The News & Observer, March 17)

Alexander Unveils Education Proposals
Republican presidential candidate Lamar Alexander told a North Dakota crowd on Tuesday that he was there to salute the state's schools, but he also spent a good deal of time talking about how he'd improve the nation's schools if elected.
• Alexander Tests Campaign Themes in N.D. (The Forum, Bismark, N.D., March 17)
• Full Text of Speech (Alexander for President)
• Key Stories: Lamar Alexander (washingtonpost.com)

California Delegation Woos 'Inclusive' Bush Candidacy;
Florida's Bush Opposes Affirmative Action Ban
Nineteen of California's 24 Republican congressional representatives sent a note to Texas Gov. George W. Bush pleading him to use a presidential bid to spread his "inclusive vision of hope and opportunity throughout California and America." Florida Republican Gov. Jeb Bush, George's brother, opposes the effort by Ward Connerly to end race, gender and ethnicity preferences in the the state's public sector.
• California GOP Likes Bush's 'Inclusion' (Los Angeles Times, March 16)
• Anti-Affirmative Action Bid Faces Test (The Miami Herald, March 16)
• Key Stories: George W. Bush (washingtonpost.com)

Lillehaug Announces Bid for Grams Senate Seat
Former federal prosecutor and failed Democratic state attorney general candidate David Lillehaug said Tuesday that he will seek the seat held by Sen. Rod Grams (R-Minn.) in 2000.
• Ex-U.S. Attorney Lillehaug Enters 2000 U.S. Senate Race (The Star-Tribune, Minn., March 17)

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