A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Thursday, June 25, 1998

With Vice President Al Gore in Texas today and Friday, Democrats holding their state party convention in San Antonio are trying to gain momentum to unseat super-popular GOP Gov. George W. Bush. Democratic leaders said they would spend the weekend trying to lure the state's independent voters.

"We found that Tommy's town couldn't be better, and Tommy's tour is tops." – Indiana Democratic Party chairman Joe Andrew, after Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino gave a tour promoting the city for the party's 2000 convention. (The Boston Globe, June 25)

State Democrats Hope to Draw Independents (Austin American-Statesman, June 25)
Gore to Begin Texas Visit Today (The Dallas Morning News, June 25)
Texan Mauro Tries Health Care Theme in Snipe at Bush (LEGI-SLATE News Service, June 23)

Initiatives: Class Size on Calif.'s Ballot; Anti-Casino Forces Working in Mich.
Always on the cutting edge of national trends with their ballot initiatives, California voters approved a November vote supporting the state's cap on the size of early elementary classes. In Michigan, anti-gambling efforts are making a last-ditch effort to place an initiative on the November ballot that would ban Detroit casinos.
Guarantee of Smaller Class Sizes Approved for November Ballot (The Sacramento Bee, June 24)
Anti-Casino Group Blitzes Voters (The Detroit News, June 25)

Connerly to Head Fund-raising for Calif. Republicans
University of California regent Ward Connerly, known best for leading opposition to state affirmative action programs, Tuesday was named finance chairman of the California Republican Party.
Connerly to Lead GOP Fund Raising (The Sacramento Bee, June 24)

New Knees for Helms
Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) said he plans to undergo two knee replacement operations later this year. Despite his 76 years and impending "man-made knee," Helms challenged a North Carolina political reporter to a foot race when he was all healed.
New Knees in Works for Helms (The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., June 25)

Detroit Mayor to Back Owen for Governor
Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer is expected to endorse Larry Owen for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination on Friday. The endorsement could be a valuable prize in what a recent poll indicated is a tight race. Three Democrats vying to run against Gov. John Engler (R) will meet in an Aug. 4 primary.
Archer Expected to Back Owen (The Detroit News, June 25)
Fieger Seems Very Unlikely to Jump Ship (Detroit Free Press, June 25)

Battle Over Calif. Car Tax Could Go Slowly
California state lawmakers arguing over how to use a budget surplus have already missed the constitutionally mandated June 15 budget deadline and don't appear to be in any rush. They have offered 90 alternatives to Republican Gov. Pete Wilson's plan to cut the vehicle license fee.
Lawmakers Line Up to Propose Tax Cuts (The Sacramento Bee, June 24)

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