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By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Monday, May 17, 1999

As Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo makes history this week with his political trip to California, he may also make life a little uncomfortable for Gov. Gray Davis (D). Zedillo, who will be the first Mexican president to address the California legislature, is expected to speak about Davis's efforts to mediate the end to a dispute over a voter-approved initiative that called for an end to health, welfare and education benefits to illegal immigrants.

"I think I'd check with Elizabeth first." – Bob Dole, talking about whether he will donate to the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who is challenging Dole's wife, Elizabeth, for the GOP nomination. (The N.Y. Times, May 17, registration required)

• Mexico's President, Davis Will Stress Cooperation (The San Francisco Chronicle, May 17)
• Zedillo's California Trip Heralds New Era (Los Angeles Times, May 15)

Massachusetts Legislature to Tackle Same-Sex Marriage Bill
At the end of a legislative season that has been devoid of raging statehouse debates over social issues, the Massachusetts legislature will consider this week a bill that would prevent the state from recognizing same-sex marriages.
• Battle Lines Form Over Same-Sex Marriage Bill (The Boston Globe, May 17)

Heston, NRA Help Raise Money for Washington's Gorton
National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston helped raise about $37,500 Saturday for the reelection bid of Sen. Slade Gorton (R-Wash.).
• NRA Raises Money for Slade Gorton in Eastern Washington (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 17)

Choctaw Increasing Interest in Mississippi Politics
The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, which runs a five-year-old casino in the state, has given $14,000 in this year's races for governor and lieutenant governor. It gave almost evenly to Republican and Democratic candidates. Law firms and attorneys make up the most generous group of donors to Mississippi races, giving more than $80,000 combined.
• Choctaw Leaders Want Closer Ties to Government (The Sun-Herald, Biloxi, Miss., May 17)

High School Shooting Is Influencing State Lawmakers
Following the April 20 shooting at a suburban Denver high school, about 12 states have taken anti-gun stances on various fronts.
• Tide Turning on Gun Control? (The Denver Post, May 17)

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