A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, July 29, 1999

North Carolina Democrat Dan Blue stepped down Wednesday as president of the National Conference of State Legislatures, but he's considering a return to the national stage in 2002 by running for the Senate seat held by Republican Jesse Helms. Helms will be 81 years old and Blue, the state House speaker, will be at the end of his 10th term.

"It's disheartening for George W. Bush to raise so much money when he stands for nothing." – Marilyn Quayle, campaigning for her husband, GOP presidential candidate Dan Quayle, in Iowa. (Iowa Pulse, July 28)

Indiana state Rep. Paul Mannweiler (R) is taking Blue's place at the helm of NCSL. Mannweiler ascends to his leadership post at a time when state governments are posting record budget surpluses.

• Blue Casts Eye Toward Helms' Seat (The News & Observer, July 28)
• Rep. Mannweiler to Lead Legislative Organization (Indianapolis Star/News, July 28)
• State Surpluses Highest Since 1980, Survey Shows (Boston.com, July 27)

N.Y. Democratic Council Members Order Flag Lowered
New York City's administrative code gives the mayor control over which flags fly above city hall. That's how Republican Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was able to hoist an Arkansas flag to make fun of potential Senate rival Hillary Rodham Clinton. The code also allows the city council to supersede the mayor's flag-flying authority. That's how the Democratic-controlled body was able to order the flag removed a day early.
• Waving Bye-Bye to Arkansas Flag (New York Daily News, July 29)

Republican Group Hits Alexander Ad for Being Negative
The Republican Leadership Council, which is independent of the national party, criticized a new Iowa television ad by presidential candidate Lamar Alexander. The group said the ad, which features cowboys bidding for the White House, was a negative ad against fund-raising leader and Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Alexander said he was not violating Ronald Reagan's "11th Commandment," an often-cited plea for Republicans not to massacre each other in the primaries.
• Republican Leadership Council Slams Alexander for Anti-Bush Ad (Iowa Pulse, July 28)

Fla. Christian Coalition Leader Leaves to Help Forbes
After suffering a disappointing legislative session, Florida Christian Coalition Executive Director John Dowless resigned to become state director of Steve Forbes's Republican presidential campaign. Dowless, who was hoping for a sympathetic ear for his causes from a Republican House, Senate and governor, blamed his defeats on Gov. Jeb Bush, the brother of Forbes's GOP opponent, Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
• Conservative Voice Leaves to Join Forbes (St. Petersburg Times, July 29)

Florida's First Lady Offers Emotional Apology
Columba Bush, wife of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), issued her first public apology on Wednesday for a run-in with U.S. Customs agents during which she tried not to disclose $19,000 worth of clothes and jewelry she bought in France.
• Columba Bush Apologizes for Encounter With Customs (The Miami Herald, July 29)

Hosts Skip Their Fund-Raiser for Fla. Senate Candidate
Three Democratic state legislators who had signed up as hosts of a fund-raiser for state Rep. Willie Logan, a Democrat who is considering an independent bid for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Connie Mack, did not show up at the Wednesday event.
• 3 Advertised Co-Hosts Skip Logan Fund-Raiser (The Miami Herald, July 29)

S.C. Anti-Poker Alliance Sues to End Fund-Raising Limits
A group of South Carolina businesses opposed to video poker filed a federal suit on Monday to repeal the state's $3,500 campaign contribution limit. South Carolinians will vote on legalizing video poker on Nov. 2. The coalition wants to be able to raise more money to campaign against the measure.
• Poker Foes Sue to Loosen Limits on Fund-Raising (The State, Columbia, S.C., July 28)

Ventura Sends Tax Reform to the 'Jury'
Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (Reform) will begin his 18-month review of the state's tax system by turning the tax code over to a "jury" of 18 people to see if they can smooth out some of the complexity.
• Ventura's Citizens' Jury to Look Into a Simpler Tax System (The Star-Tribune, Minneapolis, July 28)

Oregon Lawmakers Break Record for Ballot Referrals
Oregon, which has voted on more ballot initiatives than any other state, broke its own record for legislative ballot referrals. Voters will face 21 measures placed on the ballot by the state legislature.
• A Record for Referrals Will Crowd Ballots (The Oregonian, July 26)
• Initiative States Ranked in Order of Use, 1898-1998 (NCSL, January 20)

In Arizona, Gov. Jane D. Hull (R) and state lawmakers said they would oppose a citizen initiative that would require the state's $2.8-billion tobacco settlement to be spent on health care for the state's working poor.
• Voter Initiative Seeks Tobacco Funds (The Arizona Republic, July 28)

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