A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

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

The annual meeting of the National Conference of State Legislators is a chance for state lawmakers to talk about those weighty issues they face, covering such scintillating topics like electricity deregulation or school bus safety. This year, the policy wonks are meeting the techie geeks as the Internet takes top-billing at the Indianapolis gathering.

"I'll maximize the listening and do a lot of exploring." – N.Y. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, on his campaign trip to Arkansas. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 27)

Nicholas Negropronte, the founder of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's New Media lab, gave opening remarks at the conference.

• Technology Has Jump on Laws (Indianapolis Star/News, July 26)
• Commerce and Communications Committee Agenda (NCSL, July 26)

As part of Georgia's multi-million dollar renovation of its state capitol, every desk in the House and Senate chambers is being wired for the Internet. Lawmakers are also getting their own laptaps.
• Old Look, New Techniques Under the Gold Dome (The Atlanta Journal- Constitution, July 25)

The Internet is becoming an essential tool for neighborhood activists in Arizona. One organization has more than 25,000 people on its e-mail list.
• Activists Emerge as Political Force (The Arizona Republic, July 27)

Rep. Jay Inslee, a Washington state Democrat from a district near Seattle, is looking for a better congressional committee assignment that will give him a chance to talk about one of the region's most important industries.
• Inslee Has Platform for High-Tech Issues (The Seattle Times, July 22)

Correction Monday's Early Returns mistakenly identified the party affiliation of Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and incorrectly reported that she had refused an invitation to speak to the Denver meeting of Dignity USA, a group of 300 gay Catholics.

Giuliani 'Listens' to Arkansans
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) makes good today on his promise to campaign in First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's old stomping ground of Little Rock, Ark. He is hosting at least 62 people at a $500-a-plate fund-raiser lunch there. Giuliani and Clinton may face each other in the Senate race to fill a seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D).
• Lunch Alms Top $31,000 for Giuliani in Arkansas (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, July 27)
• Rudy Heads for the Hill's in Search of Ark. Money (New York Post, July 27)
• Rudy Tweaks Hil's Tours (Daily News, New York, July 27)

Gore Gets N.H. Fallout From Water Dump
Cleve Kapala, director of government affairs for PG&E Generating, and other New Hampshire Democrats dispute Republican charges that PG&E dumped 4 billion gallons of water down a river last week just so Vice President Gore would look nice in one of his photo-ops. Kapala said the amount was closer to 97 million gallons, and his company would do it for other groups, too.
• Gore Draws Fire, Defense on River Ride Water Flow (The Union-Leader, Manchester, N.H., July 27)
• Agency Says Water Release for Gore Trip was Normal (The Boston Globe, July 27)

Massachusetts Lobbyists Set to Make Record Amount
Despite a lackluster session of the Massachusetts legislature, the state's lobbyists are on pace to surpass last year's record billing level. Lobbyists made a combined $34 million in 1998 and have made $18 million so far this year.
• Politically Linked, Lobbyist Gaining State Figures Show (The Boston Globe, July 27)

Florida Gov. Denies Pulling Poll to Boost Brother Bush
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) said he had nothing to do with the cancellation of the state's presidential straw poll. Some observers claim the poll would have been nothing but a pain for Jeb's brother – front-running Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R), his brother.
• Spokesman: Jeb Bush Had No Role In Nixing of GOP Straw Poll (The Miami Herald, July 27)

Bus Shortage Could Play Role in Iowa Straw Poll
Republican presidential candidates are looking for buses as far away as Chicago to help Iowans get to the Aug. 14 Iowa straw poll.
• Few Buses Available for Travel to Poll (The Des Moines Register, July 27)

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