A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

The recent disclosure of a questionable fund-raising campaign has given Ohio Gov. Bob Taft (R) his first ethical blemish since coming to office 18 months ago. At issue is a signed letter in which Taft offered potential big-money contributors the chance to join "Team Ohio." For $25,000, donors would gain access to special perks and privileges of state government, such as receptions at the governor's mansion and private briefings with members of Ohio's congressional delegation. The money was then funneled into a state GOP operating fund.

The fund-raising tactic is not illegal but has cast an unfavorable light on Taft and other top state Republicans also involved in "Team Ohio." The governor expressed regret at his lapse of "ethical standards" and pledged to push for campaign finance reform laws in Ohio.

"In terms of national politics, I don't think he has much of a future." Religious conservative leader Pat Robertson, on Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). During his presidential campaign, McCain referred to Robertson as being on the "outer reaches of American politics." (Newsweek, April 24)

• Top-Ranked Republicans Admit Role
(The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, April 20)
• Taft Rues Mailing to Solicit Donors
(The Columbus Dispatch, April 20)
• Tactics of GOP Ethical?
(The Cincinnati Enquirer, April 16)

Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell defended the legality of the questionable fund-raising incident but said his involvement violated the "spirit of full disclosure."
• Access Sale Wrong, Blackwell Says
(The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, April 18)

S.C. Rep. Wants Bush, McCain to Make Up
U.S. Rep. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he didn't believe the surprise reversal by Sen. John McCain (R-S.C,) on the Confederate flag issue would have much of an effect on state lawmakers, but he does think that McCain and one-time presidential rival Gov. George W. Bush (R-Tex.) should come to South Carolina and make amends. Bush and McCain already have their first post-primary meeting scheduled May 9 in Pittsburgh.
• Graham Wants Bush, McCain to Make Up
(Spartanburg Herald-Journal, April 20)
• McCain Comes Clean on Flag
(The State, Columbia, S.C., April 20)
• Newsweek Analysis: John McCain's Mea Culpa

N.H. House Begins Court Impeachment Probe
Behind closed doors Wednesday, New Hampshire's House Judiciary Committee took the first steps in a historic impeachment investigation into allegations of misconduct by members of the state Supreme Court, including Chief Justice David Brock.
• Judiciary Panel Shuts Out Public
(The Union Leader, Manchester, N.H., April 20)

Gov. Jeanne Shaheen is looking for ways to improve New Hampshire's judicial appointment method, a process that is among the most informal in the country.
• Shaheen: Nominations Need Reform
(Concord Monitor, April 20)

Calif. Governor Plans Fee Cut for State Parks
Though overall use of state parks is up in California, Gov. Gray Davis (D) plans to announce a large cut in user fees to encourage moderate to lower income residents to visit California's 265 parks.
• Governor Ready to Cut Fees at State Parks
(San Francisco Chronicle, April 18)

In Florida, state officials have agreed to work with the federal government on a $7.8 billion restoration plan for the Florida Everglades, but a disagreement over water rights has the union off to a rocky start.
• State Wants Bigger Glades Role
(Miami Herald, April 17)

Gorton's Environment Polluted by Sierra Club Campaign
The environmental organization Sierra Club is targeting Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Wash.) for an Earth Day-related campaign of television ads and printed materials criticizing Gorton's environmental record.
• Sierra Club Launches Anti-Gorton Ads
(Seattle Post-Intelligencer, April 20)