A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, April 30, 1999

Having failed to win congressional support for his declaration of war, Rep. Tom Campbell (R-Calif.) said he and 10 other representatives would file a federal lawsuit on Friday in an attempt to stop the war. The suit will allege that President Clinton has violated Article I on the Constitution by involving the U.S. military in Kosovo without a declaration of war.

"Chicken Little is testing his vocal chords in the shower as we speak." – N.H. state Rep. David Hess (R), on the state's new education funding plan. (Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H., April 30)

• Campbell to File Suit Over Kosovo Conflict (San Francisco Chronicle, April 30)

States Continue to Work on Gun Laws
In the wake of last week's school shootings in Colorado, several states are advancing legislation to restrict access to guns. In Illinois, Gov. George Ryan (R) won a political victory as he plans to sign a bill passed by the legislature Wednesday that would make adult gun-owners responsible for juvenile crimes committed with their weapons.
• State Acts to Lock Up Firearms (The Chicago Tribune, April 29)

Anti-gun laws are also being pushed in New York and North Carolina -- where the legendary Dean Smith is one of 34 prominent North Carolinians who has signed on to an anti-gun petition. Legislation being considered in Louisiana would close records of those who have applied for or been granted a concealed weapon permit.
• House Bill to Close Gun Permit Records (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., April 30)
• Senate Passes Initiative on School Violence (The Times Union, Albany, N.Y., April 29)
• High-Level Backing for Gun Bills (The News & Observer, April 29)

Federal lawmakers, too, are part of a growing national gun debate. Rep. Bob Barr -- a supporter of gun rights and ardent opponent of President Clinton -- has decided to skip Saturday's National Rifle Association convention in Denver in favor of joining Clinton at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington.
• Barr to Skip NRA's Denver Meeting (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 29)
• Domenici, Bingaman Push for Safer Schools (The Albuquerque Journal, April 30)

Arizona Republican Blocks Primary Move
An effort to push Arizona's presidential primary back to March 14 from Feb. 22 is dead. The legislative attempt, which was an amendment to an unrelated bill, came under heavy criticism from those who saw the state's role being diminished in presidential politics.
• Primary Delay Bill Conks Out (The Arizona Republic, April 30)

Texans Try to Clarify Who Would Replace Bush
The Texas legislature is trying to sort out who would replaced Gov. George W. Bush (R) if he drops out of office to pursue or accept a certain high-profile job in Washington. Right now there is some question over what the lieutenant governor's official title would be if the governor left office.
• Proposal Clarifies Who Becomes New Governor (The Austin American-Statesman, April 30)

Nevada Governor Signs Law Mandating Flag Pledge
Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn (R) signed a bill on Thursday that requires public school teachers to hold a daily recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Students who do not want to participate can merely stand, according to the new law.
• Guinn Signs Bills to Require Pledge, Protect Cabdrivers (Las Vegas Review-Journal, April 30)

Minn. House Passes Record Tax Cut; Ventura Approval Dips
The Minnesota state House passed a $3.3-billion tax cut Thursday, with the Senate expected to approve a $2.5-billion cut Friday.
• House Passes Largest Tax Relief Bill in State History (The Star-Tribune, April 30)

Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura's stratospheric approval ratings have dropped back down to earth, according to a new poll. Ventura now has a 62 percent job-approval rating – almost dead average for governors – down from the 72-percent rating he had right after taking office.
• Ventura's Job Approval Rating Is Bruised, But Still High (The Star-Tribune, April 30)

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