A daily dose of online news from beyond the Beltway.

By Ryan Thornburg
Washingtonpost.com Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 1998

On the last day of a long and tedious session, California lawmakers approved a compromise that will end one of the most contentious environmental debates of the last decade. A few minutes after midnight last night, the state Assembly agreed to contribute $245 million to a plan to buy 8,500 acres of land, including an old-growth redwood forest, in Humboldt County. The federal government had already kicked in $250 million for the purchase, but lawmakers had not allocated California's share in the original state budget.

"We're into sausage making at its most gruesome." – Jim Dempsey, senior staff counsel for the Center for Democracy and Technology, on Congress's limited time to pass Internet-related bills. (The New York Times, Sept. 1)

With Gov. Pete Wilson (R) expected to sign the agreement today, California will buy the Headwaters Forest from the Pacific Lumber Company, owned by Texas billionaire Charles Hurwitz
New Headwaters Forest Deal Sent to Wilson (San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 1)

Sierra Club Turns Up the Heat on Wis. Republican Mark Neumann
Launching an all-out attack on Wisconsin congressman and Republican Senate candidate Mark Neumann, the Sierra Club vowed that it was through being "Mr. Nice Guy." The environmental organization launched a radio ad campaign blaming Neumann for damage caused by flooding in Milwaukee. The commercial is part of what the Sierra Club has said will be a $30,000 campaign to get Neumann to withdraw a certain bill.
In Ads, Sierra Club Takes the Gloves Off (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Sept. 1)
Key Race: Wisconsin Senate (washingtonpost.com)

Georgia Lawmakers Rack Up Travel Tabs
Georgia congressional members visited 31 foreign countries at a cost of $50,000 during the last 15 months. Rep. Michael Collins (R) made the most trips, visiting nine countries in that time period.
Lawmakers Travel on Taxpayers' Tab (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sept. 1)
Congressional Guide: Georgia congressional delegation (washingtonpost.com)

Every Arkansas House Candidate Wants New Counsel Law
All seven congressional candidates in Arkansas say the federal independent counsel law needs to be revamped. Many are concerned about the cost of investigations such as those being conducted by Kenneth W. Starr.
Independent Counsel Law Due for Revamp (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Sept. 1)
Elections Guide: Arkansas Races (washingtonpost.com)

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