A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Tuesday, April 27, 1999

A week after the massacre at a suburban Denver high school, governors from both parties and both sides of the country are introducing gun control legislation. California Gov. Gray Davis (D) on Monday proposed widening that state's ban on assault weapons. A package of proposals by New York Republican Gov. George Pataki includes a provision to increase penalties for school-related gun crimes.

"Yes, I think definitely just today I saw, like, I saw, like, a bunch of interest sparked by, you know, people in my house that usually, maybe aren't interested in politics." – University of Iowa Delta Delta Delta sorority member Jennifer Donovan, following a campaign rally for sister Elizabeth Hanford Dole, who was a member while a student at Duke University. (CNN, April 23)

• Davis Backs Bill to Limit Assault Gun Sale and Use (Los Angeles Times, April 27)
• Pataki Proposes School-Violence Bills (The Times Union, Albany, N.Y., April 27)
• Littleton Massacre Spurs New Anti-School Violence Efforts (stateline.org, April 26)

In the wake of the Colorado shooting, gun control bills in Arizona and Florida are not expected to pass this year.
• Gun Control Bill to Resurface (The Arizona Republic, April 27)
• School Tragedy Ends Push for Gun Bill (St. Petersburg Times, April 27)

Michigan attorney Geoffrey Fieger, the 1998 Democratic gubernatorial nominee, may no longer be hot on the idea of running for Senate. The family of one of the slain Colorado students has spoken with Fieger about possibly suing the school, police and parents of the shooters.
• Colorado Family May Hire Fieger to Sue School, Police, Shooters' Parents (The Detroit News, April 27)
• Fieger's Senate Run Iffy; He Hails Stabenow's Bid (Detroit Free Press, April 27)

Florida Poised to Start First Statewide Voucher Program
The Florida state legislature is likely to pass this week an education reform package proposed by Gov. Jeb Bush (R). The package would create the nation's first statewide school voucher plan.
• Bush's Voucher Plan Prevailing (St. Petersburg Times, April 27)

Most Money in La. Congressional Race Comes From Candidates
The candidates in the Louisiana race to replace former GOP congressman Robert Livingston are footing most of the campaign tabs in the special election. Of the more than $2.4 million in contributions reported by the six major candidates, more than $2 million came from the candidates themselves.
• 1st District Candidates Piling Up Huge Personal Debts (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., April 27)

Court Will Mediate California's Immigrant Dispute
A federal appeals court agreed on Monday to mediate a dispute over a successful 1994 ballot measure that prevents illegal immigrants from receiving state services. Gov. Gray Davis (D) asked for the mediation last week.
• Appellate Court Agrees to Mediate Prop. 187 (Los Angeles Times, April 27)

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