A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, May 28, 1999

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) on Thursday cut more items from the state budget than any Florida governor in the last 20 years. The $313-million cuts are straining Bush's relationships with even some of his Republican allies. In Minnesota, Gov. Jesse Ventura used his veto pen to cut $160 million from the state budget this week. While Democrats are threatening to override the vetoes when the legislature returns next year, Republicans support Ventura's last-minute vetoes.

"You mean, can I smile when a bunch of jerks asks me questions? The answer is yes." – Texas Gov. George W. Bush, snapping back at Alexander Tennant, the former executive director for the GOP in Massachusetts, who was asking Bush questions about his private life during an Austin meeting of Bush supporters. (The Boston Globe, May 28)

Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Jeb's brother, is trying to figure out how to fulfill his promise of a $2-billion tax cut before the legislative session ends Monday. And, finally, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) vetoed $74 million in proposed state income-tax cuts, calling them irresponsible.

• Bush Vetoes $313-Million for Projects (The St. Petersburg Times, May 28)
• Ventura Cuts $160 Million Via Line-Item Veto (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, May 28)
• Parties Do Battle Over Tax Cut Plans (Austin American-Statesman, May 28)
• Vilsack Vetoes Tax Cuts (The Des Moines Register, May 25)

La. Considers Internet Voting for Primary
When the Louisiana Republican Party's central committee meets next month it will vote on whether to have voters use the Internet to cast their ballots in the Jan. 29 presidential primary.
• Louisiana Republicans Consider Online Primary (The Dallas Morning News, May 28)

Native American Tribes Set to Sue Tobacco Companies
Thirty-five Native American tribes are preparing a lawsuit against the tobacco companies, a Navajo leader said Thursday. Native Americans have a higher proportion of smokers than any other ethnic group.
• Tribes to Sue Over Tobacco (The Arizona Republic, May 28)

Federal Grand Jury Returns to Duke Mailing List
A federal grand jury called back former Ku Klux Klan David Duke leader on Thursday to ask him about a political mailing list that he sold to Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster (R) for $152,000.
• Jury Zones In on Price of Duke Mailing List (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, May 28)
• Foster Says Maybe Buying Duke's List Was 'Bad Judgment' (The Advocate, Baton Rouge, May 28)

Utah Governor to Call Special Session on Guns
Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt (R) said he would call a special session of the state legislature this fall to discuss several gun-control measures.
• Leavitt Wants Legislature To Discuss Guns (The Salt Lake Tribune, May 28)

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