A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

With little debate and practically no dissension, North Carolina lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to protect the financial assets of the state's tobacco companies from huge court losses, voicing support for the troubled industry while throwing barbs at the judicial system. N.C. Gov. Jim Hunt (D) signed the bill into law almost immediately and made his state the fourth to adopt such a measure, though legal scholars have questioned the constitutionality of the state shields.

The North Carolina bill is specifically aimed at a pending smokers' lawsuit in Florida that tobacco executives say could bankrupt their companies – and cripple the North Carolina economy – if the jury levels excessive punitive damages in the case.

"Thank you Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Kansas." A victory statement released by the George W. Bush campaign after Tuesday's presidential primaries in which Bush won Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The Kansas primary, however, had been cancelled since February. ( Associated Press, Apr. 5)

• Legislators Quickly OK Bonds Cap
(The Charlotte Observer, Apr. 6)
• State Shields Tobacco
(Raleigh News & Observer, Apr. 6)
• General Assembly Passes Tobacco Protection Bill
(Greensboro News & Record, Apr. 6)

Also in North Carolina, an additional $300 million in federal hurricane relief is being delayed due to Congress's recent postponement of a $12.6 billion emergency spending package.
• Delay in Flood Aid Angers N.C. Delegates
(The Daily Reflector, Greenville, N.C., Apr. 5)

GOP Fund-Raising Letter Invokes Elian
U.S. Rep. Bill McCollum (R-Fla.), who is seeking the seat of retiring Sen. Connie Mack (R), has drawn harsh criticism across party lines for using the plight of Elian Gonzalez to solicit donations in a fund-raising letter mailed last month to South Florida voters.
• Letter Invoking Elian Draws Fire
(Miami Herald, Apr. 6)
• McCollum's 'Elian' Letter Is Decried from Both Parties
(St. Petersburg Times, Apr. 6)

McCain Makes Delegate Concessions in Mass., Holds Firm at Home
Former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has agreed to send seven supporters of Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R) to the Republican National Convention this summer as part of the 37 total delegates McCain won in the state's presidential primary.
• McCain, Cellucci Agree on Mass. GOP Delegation
(The Boston Globe, Apr. 4)

In Arizona, Gov. Jane Hull (R) cited "party unity" as her reason for giving up a push to lead the Arizona delegation at the GOP convention after McCain dismissed the notion over the weekend.
• Hull Gives Up on Leading Delegation
(The Arizona Republic, Apr. 5)

Gore Nets $600,000 for Democrats
Vice President Gore rallied Maryland's Democratic heavyweights at a $25,000 per-couple fund-raiser Wednesday night that mixed "hard" money and "soft" money donations.
• In Annapolis, Gore Raises $600,000 for Democrats
(The Baltimore Sun, Apr. 6)

Mass. Senate Candidate Scrambles to Get on Ballot
Jack E. Robinson, the much-maligned Republican hoping to challenge U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) in the fall, named himself as his own campaign manager this week and said he planned to use "unique measures" to collect the 10,000 signatures needed by May 9 to get on the ballot.
• Robinson Hires Rookies to Run Senate Campaign
(Boston Herald, Apr. 4)