A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Friday, July 24, 1998

Just as the Senate voted Thursday to ban interstate gambling by telephone and the Internet, several states are grappling with the gaming industry. Outgoing Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad (R) said during a farewell tour of the state Wednesday that gambling lobbyists had too much power.

"Wouldn't I be a fool to have the speaker of the House – who cannot swim well – on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and not talk about issues I have an interest in?" – Fla. Democrat Willie Logan who is spending the weekend in the Bahamas with state GOP leaders. (St. Petersburg Times, July 24, see below)

In Florida, Gov. Lawton Chiles (D) rejected a proposal by the Seminole Indian tribe Thursday to turn its bingo halls into casinos. Meanwhile, Florida Republicans – to whom gaming magnate Donald Trump gave $50,000 in May – said they would like to expand gambling in the state by permitting video lotteries at race tracks.

In South Carolina, video poker was a hot topic in the legislature this year and is shaping up to be a campaign issue. Republican Gov. David Beasley is cracking down on video terminals by enforcing a long-ignored 1942 law that prohibits gambling where beer and wine are sold.

Branstad: Gambling Lobbyists Too Powerful (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, July 23)
Chiles Rejects Proposal for Seminoles' Casinos (The Miami Herald, July 24)
GOP Leaders May Extend Gambling (St. Petersburg Times, July 24)
Special Report: Internet Gambling (washingtonpost.com)

As Fla. Democrats Struggle, Republicans Hit the Bahamas
Florida's Democratic lawmakers, eager not to exacerbate the racial tensions in their party, are delaying a vote to choose their next House speaker-designate. The party has been in turmoil since it ousted black lawmaker Willie Logan as speaker-designate in January. Logan, who has vowed to get even with his Democratic detractors, is vacationing in the Bahamas this weekend with state Republican leaders.
Cautious Democrats Delay Vote on Leader (St. Petersburg Times, July 24)
Republicans Take a Bahamas Break With Willie Logan (St. Petersburg Times, July 24)

Woman Wants Washington Law Against Liars Back on the Books
Melissa Warheit, executive director of Washington state's Public Disclosure Commission, wants the supreme court there to reconsider a June ruling that struck down a 1984 law prohibiting maliciously false political advertising.
Punishment Sought for Political Liars (The Seattle Times, July 23)

Iowa, Ohio Democrats Talk Health Care
Iowa Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Vilsack unveiled a health care plan Wednesday. Ohio Senate candidate Mary Boyle (D) reiterated her support for the Democrat-sponsored "patients' bill of rights" being considered by Congress.
Vilsack Unveils Health Care Plan (The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, July 23)
Boyle Strengthens Support for Health-Care Reform (The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, July 23)
Special Report: Managed Care (washingtonpost.com)

Ga. Democrat Drops Runoff Bid, Supports Gubernatorial Rival
Georgia Secretary of State Lewis Massey on Thursday dropped his runoff bid against state Rep. Roy Barnes for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. To avoid a potentially bloody runoff, Massey endorsed his former foe.
Massey Clears the Way (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 24)
Key Races: Georgia Governor (washingtonpost.com)

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