A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

Amid all the talk of rotating regional primaries and smallest-state first proposals that are supposed to extend the presidential primary season, the national Democratic Party decided Saturday to retain at least one vestige of recent political tradition -- allowing Iowa and New Hampshire to vote first.

• Democrats' Decision 'Good News for Iowa'
(The Des Moines Register, April 9)

Pataki May Turn to Casino to Deal With Tax Cuts
New York Gov. George Pataki (R) is looking at signing on to a plan to build a tribal casino 75 miles from New York City in hopes that the state's 25 percent take from the casino's winnings will help finance a multi-billion dollar tax cut.
• Pressure Grows as Pataki Weighs Mohawk Casino
(Times-Union, Albany, April 8)
• Rudy: Casino Is a Good Bet
(New York Post, April 10)

Term-Limited State Lawmakers Look to Extend Careers in Congress
In the 18 states that limit their state legislator's terms, an average of 2.2 lawmakers are running for Congress. The remaining 32 states have an average of 1.8 lawmakers looking at a move to Washington.
• Term Limits Redefine State, National Legislative Races
(USA Today, April 10)

Wash. State Jumps Into Calif. Court Battle
When California goes before the U.S. Supreme Court to defend its "blanket primary" system that allows voters to choose between candidates of all parties in primary elections Washington state will be there to defend a similar system it adopted 65 years ago.
• 'Blanket' Primary Faces Court
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 10)

Microsoft Co-founder Keeps Charter Schools Alive in Wash.
Microsoft Corp. co-founder Paul Allen, who has given $22 million to educational institutions, is investing some of his political capital in a Washington legislative push to permit charter public schools.
• Paul Allen Pushes Legislature to Pass Charter Schools Measure
(The Seattle Times, April 9)