A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, April 1, 1999

Despite Republican control of the governorship and both houses of the state legislature, Florida conservatives said they are frustrated with the lack of success their top issues have had this year. Bills to restrict abortion and to allow school prayer have both been stuck in legislative committees, while Gov. Jeb Bush has not taken a lead in shepherding either measure.

"I do not regard this impeachment vote as some great badge of shame." – President Clinton, in a televised interview Wednesday. (The Associated Press, April 1)

• Social Conservatives See Their Issues Fall By GOP's Wayside (The St. Petersburg Times, April 1)

The Florida Democratic Party has taken its latest step toward ending the internal turmoil that has lasted more than a year. Panama City businessman Charlie Whitehead, who headed the state party from 1980 to 1989, agreed on Tuesday to take up his former post as party chairman.
• Veteran Chairman Returns to Lead Democratic Party (The Miami Herald, March 31)

First Green Party Candidate Elected to California State Legislature
Green Party member Audie Bock defeated former Democratic Oakland mayor Elihu Harris in Tuesday's special election for a state assembly seat from Alameda County. Bock is the first Green Party candidate to win a legislative seat in California.
• Harris May Have Run His Last Race (San Francisco Chronicle, April 1)

Alabama's Urinating Lt. Gov. Goes on Victory Tour
Saying that his public urination Sunday on the floor of the state Senate was not a publicity stunt, Alabama Lt. Gov. Steve Windom (R) went on a four-city victory tour Tuesday. Shortly after Windom relieved himself, the Senate ended a month-long parliamentary battle.
• Windom Tours to Declare Victory (The Huntsville Times, March 31)

Salmon Raising Money Despite Term Limit Pledge
A spokesman for Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) said that the congressman has made it clear to his supporters that he still plans to honor his self-imposed term limit and not run for reelection in 2000. But, that didn't stop Salmon from taking $3,000 at a fund-raiser with "just a few folks that like Matt that want to be helpful to his campaign, hoping that they can somehow convince him," his spokesman said.
• Has Salmon Forgotten His Term Pledge? (The Arizona Republic, April 1)

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