A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

The New York state Senate on Tuesday voted to "tear down" the barriers that often prevent Republican candidates from gaining access to presidential primary ballots. The reforms were initially proposed by Gov. George Pataki (R) after last month's GOP primary, which gained negative national attention due to the struggle of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to get on local ballots. Among other changes, the primary will have standardized ballot access requirements and will be a winner-take-all contest.

"Ol' 'Mean Mel' Carnahan has been acting as if he were running for World Wrestling Federation instead of the United States Senate." Steven Law, of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, chiding Missouri Gov. Mel Carnahan (D) for a videotaped run-in with a news reporter last week. (The Kansas City Star, April 17)

• Senate Passes New Rules for Primaries
(Albany Times-Union, April 19)
• Albany Set to Alter GOP Presidential Ballot
(The New York Times, April 19)

McCain Amends South Carolina Flag Stance
In a speech in South Carolina's state capital, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is expected Wednesday to reverse his presidential campaign position on flying the Confederate battle flag atop the Statehouse. Aides say McCain – who repeatedly said the issue should be decided by the people of South Carolina – will admit he wasn't speaking truthfully during the GOP primary race.
• McCain Will Apologize for Not Taking Stand
(The State, Columbia, S.C., April 19)
• McCain Might Address Flag in Visit
(The Post & Courier, Charleston, S.C., April 19)

South Carolina House Democrats face a dilemma on the flag debate – most do not approve of the compromise bill approved last week by their Senate counterparts, but the alternative of leaving the flag alone is even less attractive.
• House Democrats Seek Effective Flag Strategy
(The Post & Courier, Charleston, S.C., April 19)
• Poll: Legislators Say No to Removal
(Spartanburg Journal-Herald, April 19)

Vt. Senate Passes Civil Unions Bill, Rejects Marriage Amendment
A Vermont bill to extend traditional marriage benefits to same-sex couples won overwhelming approval in the state Senate on Tuesday, though the vote reflected a deeper partisan split than the vote of a similar measure passed in the House last month.
• Senate Approves Civil Unions Bill
(The Rutland Herald, April 19)
• Vt. Senate Approves Gay Civil Unions
(The Boston Globe, April 19)

On the same day the civil unions bill passed the state Senate, a proposed consitutional amendment defining marriage specifically as a union between a man and a woman was defeated. Opponents of the legislation say that without the amendment attached the bill can be defeated when it returns to the House next week for a final vote.
• Marriage Amendment Defeated
(The Rutland Herald, April 19)

Santorum Enjoys Cash Cushion in Pennsylvania Senate Race
The massive financial discrepancy in Pennsylvania's Senate race is a good example of how difficult trying to unseat an incumbent can be. Not burdened with a primary challenge, current Sen. Rick Santorum (R) reported $3.7 million on hand at the end of March. His opponent, Rep. Ron Klink (D), took out a home mortgage to help finance his primary fight, and now has just $119,162 in his campaign war chest.
• Santorum Has Big Cash Advantage Over Klink
(The Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pa., April 18)
• Klink Losing Race for Campaign Funds
(Courier Times, Levittown, Pa., April 18)