A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Wednesday, July 22, 1998

Californians, whose legislature has entered the fiscal year without a budget 10 out of the last 11 years, are facing another shutdown of the nation's largest state economy. A state judge ruled Tuesday that until lawmakers pass a budget, California can not pay the state's more than 200,000 public employees, issue its 2 million monthly welfare checks or make its more than $200 million monthly payment on the state's long-term bond debt. The fiscal year began July 1.

"I've never seen a politician create a job in my life. If you ever see one, I want to know so I can witness one of the greatest phenomenons of my life." – Ala. Gov. Fob James (R) at an economic development conference. (The Birmingham News, July 21)

Judge Blocks State From Paying Bills Without a Budget (Los Angeles Times, July 22)
Judge Orders Halt in State Spending (San Francisco Chronicle, July 22)

Ga. Governor's Races Down to the Wire
Votes in Georgia's gubernatorial primary were still being counted this morning to see if Atlanta businessman Guy Millner will have to face former attorney general Mike Bowers in a runoff for the Republican nomination. Democratic candidates Roy Barnes and Lewis Massey are headed for the Aug. 11 runoff. In the Democratic Senate primary to challenge GOP Sen. Paul Coverdell, millionaire cookie magnate Michael Coles easily defeated Jim Boyd.
Bowers Pushes Millner; Massey Chases Barnes (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 22)
Updated Results (washingtonpost.com)
Key Race: Georgia Governor (washingtonpost.com)
Key Race: Georgia Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Alabama Gubernatorial Candidates Differ on Education Plans
At an economic development conference Monday, candidates for Alabama governor both said that education was their top priority but differed in their approaches to improving the state's schools. Republican Gov. Fob James broadly talked about parental involvement and the importance of a strong economy. Democrat Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman said he favored creating a state lottery to raise money for students.
Candidates Conflict in Speeches to Economic Development Group (The Birmingham News, July 21)
Key Race: Alabama Governor (washingtonpost.com)

Clinton Likely to Stump for N.C. Senate Hopeful
North Carolina's Senate race between Republican incumbent Lauch Faircloth and Democratic political newcomer John Edwards was already one of the hottest races in the country, and President Clinton just upped the ante. According to N.C. Democratic Party sources, Clinton is planning to stump for Edwards in Raleigh on July 30. Faircloth has already had his fair share of big-name supporters stop by, including former president George Bush, former vice president Dan Quayle and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.).
Clinton Set to Stump for Edwards in Raleigh (The News & Observer, July 22)
Key Race: North Carolina Senate (washingtonpost.com)

First Lady Set to Raise Money in Key Ohio House Races
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to be in Ohio on Monday, raising money for two congressional candidates: First District hopeful Roxanne Qualls and 6th District Rep. Ted Strickland. Both seats are being targeted by the national parties as key races in the fight to control the House.
Hillary Clinton Visit Will Employ Creative Math (The Cincinnati Enquirer, July 22)
Key Stories: House Races (washingtonpost.com)

Fla. Governor Unlikely to Approve Seminole Casino
Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles is unlikely to approve a request by the Seminole tribe to open a casino in the state. Florida voters have rejected casinos three times, most recently in 1994. A proposed federal law would allow the tribe to bypass the voters and Chiles by appealing to the Interior Department.
Chiles Unlikely to Soften Stance Against Casinos (The Miami Herald, July 22)
Chiles Protests Casino Proposal (St. Petersburg Times, July 21)

Head of Iowa Democrats Stepping Down
With 15 weeks left before the November elections, Iowa Democratic Chairman Michael Peterson announced Tuesday that he would step down from his post. Peterson had faced criticism from inside the party over his campaign strategy.
Democrats' Leader to Quit (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, July 21)

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