POLITICS & LEADERSHIP
Another tough day at the polls for incumbents

GOVERNORS
Blanco again threatening to block oil leases
 

The week in session
Hot issues
Bird's eye view
Upcoming elections
In the hopper
In case you missed it
Once around

Illegal immigration has been a major point of contention from Washington to CALIFORNIA this year. But a new plan by TEXAS Gov. Rick Perry (R) to install cameras along the border has ruffled even hardened anti-immigration forces. 

Perry launching TEXAS border webcams

TEXAS Gov. Rick Perry (R) has long counted himself among the many governors who feel that border security is first and foremost a federal responsibility. But in a significant turnaround on the eve of the state GOP convention last week, Perry announced a $5 million state-funded plan to install hundreds of night-vision cameras on private land along the Mexican border, with the live video being streamed on the Internet. That, Perry said, will enable anyone with a computer to act as additional eyes for law enforcement by notifying authorities via a toll-free hot line if they spot illegal immigrants trying to slip across the border. 

"I look at this as not different from the neighborhood watches we have had in our communities for years and years," Perry said last week. "We can say to the federal government `please give us our fair share,' but we're not going to sit here on our hands while we have a border and citizens' safety at stake and not do everything we can to address this issue."

He cited a recent 31 percent cut in federal homeland security funding for his state, a rise in reports of border violence and an alleged incursion by what he said were Mexican soldiers into TEXAS earlier this year as proof that his state "cannot wait for Washington, D.C., to act." 

"If our border cannot prevent the entry of foreign soldiers wearing clearly identifiable uniforms, what are the odds that we're going to stop an enemy?" Perry said. Both U.S. and Mexican officials have agreed that the incident that Perry was referring to did not actually involve Mexican soldiers, but drug smugglers wearing military-style clothing.

Despite the harsh anti-Washington rhetoric, Perry was quick to note he was not blaming his gubernatorial predecessor, President George W. Bush, for the state's immigration troubles. 

"I think if anybody tries to point their finger at George W. Bush and say, `This is all your fault,' that is a big error," he said. "This has been going on 30-plus years. The federal government has not taken care of the needs."

The program would place cameras in some of the state's most remote areas, with live video available to law enforcement or anyone else with an Internet connection and a willingness to sit and watch. Perry says the state already has enough homeland security grant money in hand to put the program on the fast track, with the first cameras set to be installed within 30 days. He is also planning to seek another $120 million in the 2007 state budget solely for border security, including $100 million for border police departments. 

Perry toured southern Texas last week to promote the program, telling residents that it was necessary because "continued federal inaction jeopardizes our security." But the plan has met with skepticism on several fronts. 

"This is just one of those half-baked ideas that people dream up to save money but have no practical applications," argued Jim Harrington, director of the Austin-based TEXAS Civil Rights Project. "We would be far better off to invest that money in Mexican small towns along the border so people wouldn't have to emigrate." 

Luis Figueroa, an attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund in San Antonio, warned that the camera program could lead to racial profiling and other potential civil rights abuses. "This leaves the door open to anyone who has a vindictive state of mind or a racial motive," Figueroa said. "Anyone down there could easily be mistaken and falsely accused of something they didn't do."

Even some of those most committed to slowing the tide of illegal immigrants entering the country have voiced their doubts. 

Connie Hair, a spokeswoman for the Minuteman organization that patrols the border to look for illegal immigrants, said only trained volunteers and law enforcement officials should be able to view the video. Making it accessible to everyone, she says, will allow drug smugglers and human traffickers to use the video to adjust their routes. 

Some border agents are also skeptical. "At first blush, it sounds like just another crazy idea that is going to overwhelm the capabilities of the federal government to be able to respond to the number of calls coming in and to the number of reports," said T.J. Bonner, president of the union that represents nearly all Border Patrol agents. "But there is a silver lining: It might just make legislators aware."

Perry dismissed the criticism, particularly concerns that the cameras will only move smugglers to different locations. He said that if smugglers do figure out where the cameras are and adjust their routes to get around those locations, the cameras will simply be moved.

"This isn't our first rodeo," Perry said. (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, ASSOCIATED PRESS, DALLS MORNING NEWS)

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN

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Bird's eye view

States block insurance restrictions on foreign travel

Americans love to travel. For many, the "trip of a lifetime" has meant sojourning to the white sand beaches of HAWAII or the grand cities of Europe. These days, however, travelers are often expanding their vacation possibilities to include such previously unconsidered locales as Africa, Central America, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. But such destinations are also problematic for many of the nation's largest life insurers. As exotic travel has increased, a growing number of the nation's largest insurers ­ Allstate, MetLife, Inc. and Prudential among them ­ are either refusing coverage or jacking their rates up sky high for customers heading to countries they deem dangerous. This has inspired lawmakers in several states to respond with legislation barring the practice, provided the government recognizes the destination as a legal travel area for Americans. Since 2004, eight states have adopted these measures, with four more considering similar proposals this year.
 
 

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN

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Budget & taxes

TOLL ROAD RENAISSANCE: Once derided as a surefire way to annoy an electorate on a fairly regular basis, toll roads are now gaining favor in official circles. The Federal Highway Administration estimates it will cost at least $118.9 billion -- on top of current state and federal expenditures -- to upgrade the nation's roads and bridges through 2022. Gas taxes usually provide much of the state funding for such projects, but with gas prices already climbing to record highs, toll roads have become one of the only available avenues for covering that bill. "Right now, Americans are looking at toll roads -- or no roads," said Peter Samuel, editor of the online newsletter Tollroads News. 

The advent of technology like EZ Pass, which allows drivers to pay tolls without actually having to stop at a booth, has also made toll roads more appealing. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Washington, D.C.-based market research firm Lake Research Partners found that 60 percent of CALIFORNIANS favor toll roads over freeways if the roads save them time commuting.

Moreover, recent deals like the lease of the Chicago Skyway to Spain's Cintra and Australia's Macquarie Infrastructure Group for $1.8 billion and the INDIANA Toll Road to the same group for $3.85 billion have opened the eyes of politicians across the country to the possibilities of public-private toll road partnerships.

Consequently, it's little surprise that SOUTH CAROLINA has petitioned the federal government to change the section of I-95 that runs between its borders to a toll road. Or that new toll lanes opened two weeks ago on I-25 in OREGON. Or that NEW JERSEY is considering the idea of leasing the NEW JERSEY Turnpike. Or that TEXAS has partnered with Cintra to build a new $6 billion highway, the Trans-TEXAS Corridor 35.

Toll roads do have their critics, however. Some say they upset the egalitarian spirit of freeway travel by creating separate roads for the "haves" and "have-nots." Others complain that toll road deals often include measures designed to drive traffic on parallel roads to the toll road -- such as imposing a lower speed limit on the free roads -- which basically amount to highway robbery.

The criticism has actually boiled over into action in some places, such as Austin, TEXAS, where activists have formed an anti-toll-road group called the "Toll Party," which claims to have unseated the pro-toll mayor of a local suburb. And the INDIANA Supreme Court will hear arguments this week on a legal challenge to whether the Hoosier State can lease the Toll Road to foreign investors. The state requested an expedited hearing of the suit because the investing companies can back out if litigation is still pending when the deal is scheduled to close June 30. (ASSOCIATED PRESS, INDIANAPOLIS STAR, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR)

BUDGETS IN BRIEF: The ALASKA House passed legislation last week imposing a 23.5 percent tax on the net profits of oil companies operating in the state. The Senate promptly rejected the House bill, and it headed off to conference committee (ANCHORAGE DAILY NEWS). * MARYLAND Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) announced last Monday that he will convene a special session this week to develop an electricity rate stabilization plan to replace the one he negotiated with utility companies in April. That deal was recently thrown out as a result of a lawsuit filed by the city of Baltimore. In a letter to House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D), Ehrlich blamed Mayor Martin O'Malley -- who is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor -- for the suit and, consequently, the session. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller (D) said that was all well and good, but he and Busch had already decided to hold a special session to deal with the issue and the governor was just trying to avoid being left behind. "It came about because the speaker and myself agreed to a special session next week," Miller said (BALTIMORE SUN).
 

 --  Compiled by KOREY CLARK

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Politics & leadership

ANOTHER TOUGH DAY AT THE POLLS FOR INCUMBENTS: Last Tuesday, legislative primary elections were held in six states: ALABAMA, CALIFORNIA, IOWA, MONTANA, NEW MEXICO and SOUTH DAKOTA. None of last week's results were quite as dramatic as those in PENNSYLVANIA on May 16, when seventeen incumbent lawmakers lost their seats, but as in the dozen other primaries that have been held so far this year, incumbency proved no guarantee of victory.

In all, four senators lost their re-election bids in SOUTH DAKOTA, while three incumbents were defeated in IOWA, including a two-term House member, Joe Hutter (R) and a five-term senator, Maggie Tinsman (R). Hutter's ouster was particularly tough for the Republicans as it could give House Democrats a better chance to eliminate the GOP's slim 51-49 majority in that chamber. Veteran lawmakers were also ousted in ALABAMA and MONTANA.

As in the previous primaries, at least some of last week's upsets look to be more the result of local issues than a general anti-incumbent mood spreading through the electorate (see INCUMBENCY NO GREAT ADVANTAGE THIS ELECTION YEAR? in June 6 issue of SNCJ).

For example, the four senators ousted in SOUTH DAKOTA -- all Republicans -- appear to have suffered the wrath of their own party for voting against the stringent abortion ban passed earlier this year. In one race, a staunch abortion opponent, Elli Schwiesow, defeated the senator who had defeated her two years ago, Sen. Stan Adelstein, who said he'd voted against the abortion ban because it provided no allowances for the victims of rape or incest, or for the health of the mother. Meanwhile, a key sponsor of the abortion bill, Sen. Julie Bartling (D), dispatched two Democratic challengers with 47 percent of the vote, compared to their 30 percent and 22 percent.

The election results prompted Leslie Unruh, a prominent local abortion opponent, to remark, "South Dakotans are proud of the bold legislation passed this past session. Anyone who says otherwise should look at the outcomes of the primaries." (ARGUS LEADER [SIOUX FALLS], QUAD-CITY TIMES [DAVENPORT],  BIRMINGHAM NEWS, BILLINGS GAZETTE, STATELINE.ORG)

CA VOTERS REJECT `TAX-THE-RICH' INITIATIVE: CALIFORNIA voters soundly defeated a measure last Tuesday that would have imposed a tax on the state's wealthiest residents in order to provide a free year of preschool for every 4-year-old. Proposition 82 failed in 55 of the Golden State's 58 counties (the exceptions were Alameda, Imperial and San Francisco), with a statewide margin of 61 percent to 39 percent. Jack Pitney, a professor of American politics at Claremont McKenna College, said the "No on 82" side "ran a pretty effective campaign," raising doubts that the measure would really help the state's neediest families and would distract from the cause of fixing the state's K-12 schools. Pitney said it didn't help that the proposition's primary pitchman, Hollywood movie director Rob Reiner, became involved in a conflict-of-interest controversy over the alleged purchase of pro-preschool TV ads with money generated from his previous initiative, Proposition 10 in 1998, which raised tobacco taxes for early childhood development programs. "If Rob Reiner wants a future in CALIFORNIA politics, he will have to work to rebuild his image," Pitney said. (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE)

DUELING SPECIAL SESSION CALLS: Both the Republican and Democratic leadership of IOWA's Senate called for a special session last week to deal with Gov. Tom Vilsack's (D) veto of legislation placing greater restrictions on the use of eminent domain (House Bill 2351). But in keeping with the tenor of the chamber -- split 25-25 between the two parties -- this session, their objectives for the session are decidedly different. The Democrats want to return to the Capitol to draft a new bill that addresses the governor's concern that HB 2351 failed to provide sufficient allowance for economic development. The Republicans, on the other hand, simply want the opportunity to override Vilsack's veto. And this being an election year, both sides are making the most out of the issue. In a prepared statement, Senate Republican President Jeff Lamberti said, "We have an opportunity to right a wrong, and we owe it to the property owners of the state of IOWA to correct the mistakes of the governor." Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal countered, "This is an exercise by the Republicans loud and clear to play politics with this issue, not try to find a resolution." Despite the party leaders' opposing objectives, if two-thirds of the members of the House and Senate answer their call in the affirmative, an interesting session may be coming to the Hawkeye State soon. (DES MOINES REGISTER)

POLITICS IN BRIEF: As the primary election season is heating up, electronic voting is increasingly coming under legal attack. Two weeks ago, COLORADO became the sixth state to see a lawsuit seeking to block the purchase or use of electronic voting machines, joining ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, OHIO and PENNSYLVANIA. Most of the suits allege that the machines are vulnerable to tampering, are prone to errors and do not provide a printed record to facilitate recounts (USA TODAY). * Opponents of WASHINGTON's new law banning discrimination against gays and lesbians failed to gather enough signatures by last week's deadline to force a statewide referendum on the issue in the fall. Organizers say they will continue their effort to repeal the law (BOSTON GLOBE).
 

-- Compiled by KOREY CLARK

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BLANCO AGAIN THREATENS OIL LEASES: LOUISIANA Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) has reiterated her threat of earlier this year to block the federal government's August auction of offshore oil properties in the western Gulf of Mexico unless Washington agrees to help restore the Pelican State's wetlands.

Scientists claim that decades of oil exploration have forced LOUISIANA's marsh areas to disappear at an alarming rate. Those marshlands, scientists say, are the best way to combat storm surges brought on by hurricanes like Katrina and Rita. Congress has already agreed to provide $500 million in restoration money, but federal estimates project the state will need as much as $16 billion to fully restore the affected marshes and swamps. 

"Some might see this as an idle threat," Blanco told a group of activists in New Orleans last week. "They shouldn't. For decades, LOUISIANA has made its case. We have asked for a reasonable share of outer continental shelf revenues. And we were snubbed."  Some within LOUISIANA's own Congressional delegation, however, are questioning whether her vow to block the deal could have negative repercussions on the state's ongoing efforts to get more federal money for fixing last year's hurricane devastation. Republican Congressman Bobby Jindal said he supports her efforts to challenge Washington for a share of the offshore lease proceeds, but prefers to address the matter with legislation rather than lawsuits. Jindal and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D), the state's senior senator, have each sponsored bills that would force the federal government to share offshore oil lease revenue.

Blanco has so far been undeterred by the chance that legislation might get her what she wants. She instead formally complained to the federal Dept. of the Interior last week that the proposed oil leases conflict with LOUISIANA's coastal-management plan. Her attorney, William Szabo, said he assumes the governor will be overruled, after which the Commerce secretary will take up the matter. If Commerce also overrules her -- also as expected -- Szabo said he intends to file suit against the Minerals Management Service in New Orleans in order to block any sales from the government's auction. (WALL STREET JOURNAL)

GOVERNORS IN BRIEF: The RHODE ISLAND House overrode Gov. Don Carcieri's (R) veto of a measure that strips the governor's office of the power to place a nonbinding referendum on the ballot. The override measure moves to the Senate, where it is also expected to be approved (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL). * A trio of governors -- MISSOURI Republican Matt Blunt and Democrats Phil Bredesen of TENNESSEE and Brad Henry of OKLAHOMA -- announced plans last week to seek re-election (CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS, KANSAS CITY STAR, OKLAHOMAN [OKLAHOMA CITY]). * SOUTH CAROLINA Gov. Mark Sanford (R) vetoes legislation that would have allowed the Palmetto State attorney general to instigate criminal anti-price-gouging laws if he determines that gasoline suppliers have artificially disrupted the supply. Sanford said that power belongs solely to his office (GREENEVILLE NEWS). * WASHINGTON Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) said last week that Evergreen State pharmacy officials "made a mistake" in approving rules that could allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions on religious grounds. She promised to work with lawmakers this fall to overturn the ruling, and hinted that she might consider replacing some state Pharmacy Board members if they don't cooperate (OLYMPIAN). * CALIFORNIA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) declared a state of emergency in 10 Golden State coastal counties in order to aid financially-strapped fisherman after federal regulators severely limited the annual salmon take to just 40 percent of the typical season. The declaration makes $9.6 million in low-interest loans available to fishermen and the businesses that support them (SACRAMENTO BEE). * FLORIDA Gov. Jeb Bush (R) said he will try to persuade federal officials to alter a plan to ban FLORIDA-grown fresh citrus from being shipped to other citrus producing states. Bush said the plan is "overkill" that doesn't make scientific sense.  Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture barred FLORIDA citrus from being shipped to the other states over fears that canker and other diseases that have affected Sunshine State fruit could spread to those areas (MIAMI HERALD).
 

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN

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Here are some of the topics you will see covered in upcoming issues of the State Net Capitol Journal:  Lou Cannon  looks at the changing face  of eminent domain  Should emergency contraception  be available without    a prescription? Raising the minimum wage

BUSINESS: The LOUISIANA House rejects HB 194, which would have granted a $1-per-hour across-the-board hike to the state's minimum wage. The House did approve, however, the dollar-per-hour boost for almost 500 state employees working at the state minimum (ADVOCATE [BATON ROUGE]). * Meanwhile, the LOUISIANA Senate approves HB 1381, which would ban the sale of violent video games to anyone under 18. It fires off to Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) (TIMES-PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS]). * IOWA Gov. Tom Vilsack (D) vetoes House File 2351, legislation that would have limited local governments' ability to take private property for economic development. Vilsack said the measure did not contain the proper balance of protecting private property rights and allowing economic development (DES MOINES REGSTER). * ARIZONA Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) vetoes HB 2675, which would have forced local governments looking to invoke eminent domain to declare blight on a property-by-property basis rather than condemning an entire area based on a few properties. Napolitano said the measure "goes too far" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC [PHOENIX]). * COLORADO Gov. Bill Owens (R) signs HB 1411, which bars local governments from using eminent domain to take private property unless they clearly demonstrate the action is for a public use and not economic development (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS [DENVER]). * Still in COLORADO, Owens vetoes HB 1006, which would have barred insurance companies from recommending personal property repair businesses (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS [DENVER]). 

CRIME & PUNISHMENT: A federal judge rules that a faith-based IOWA prison treatment program in which inmates immerse themselves in evangelical Christianity is unconstitutional and must be shut down. The court said the program violates the First Amendment's clause barring government from the establishment of religion (DES MOINES REGISTER). * The DELAWARE House approves legislation that outlaws playing a pornographic movie in a vehicle if people in other vehicles can see it. It drives off to the Senate (DELAWARE STATE NEWS [DOVER]). * MISSOURI Gov. Matt Blunt (R) signs legislation that requires anyone convicted of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 12 to serve a minimum of 30 years in prison without parole. The law goes into effect immediately (KANSAS CITY STAR). * HAWAII Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona (R) signs legislation that requires consumers buying pseudoephedrine-based medications to show a photo ID and sign a state logbook. It also requires those products to be kept behind the counter or in locked display cases. Aiona signed the measure as acting governor while Gov. Linda Lingle (R) was out of state (HONOLULU STAR BULLETIN). 

EDUCATION: A LOUISIANA House committee endorses SB 284, which would give Pelican State public and private schools the option to suspend or delay driving privileges of students who miss too much class time. It moves to the full Senate (ADVOCATE [BATON ROUGE]). * FLORIDA Gov. Jeb Bush (R) signs legislation that will require Sunshine State high school students to choose a major course of study. The measure also requires those students to take four years of math (SUN-SENTINEL [FT. LAUDERDALE]). * Still in FLORIDA, a federal judge rules that a state law requiring students to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional (ORLANDO SENTINEL). * A DELAWARE House panel signs off on SB 251, which would make full-day kindergarten an option in all First State school districts by 2009. It graduates to the full House (NEWS JOURNAL [NEW CASTLE-WILMINGTON]). 

ENVIRONMENT: FLORIDA wildlife officials remove the manatee from the list of "endangered" species receiving state protection. The state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission downgraded the manatee, sometimes called a "sea-cow," to "threatened" status because it said the mammal's population has more than doubled in recent years. The Commission also moved the bald eagle from "endangered" to "threatened," while adding two previously unlisted species -- the Panama City crayfish and the gopher tortoise -- to the same classification (MIAMI HERALD). 

HEALTH & SCIENCE: A LOUISIANA House panel endorses SB 742, which would ban smoking in most Pelican State restaurants. It moves to the full House (TIMES-PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS]). * ILLINOIS Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) signs SB 2968, which would shield emergency medical technicians from lawsuits over care provided in the course of their job. Blagojevich also signs legislation that grants civil immunity to people trained in first aid by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association who act as "Good Samaritans" during emergency situations (QUAD-CITY TIMES [DAVENPORT]). * COLORADO Gov. Bill Owens (R) signs HB 1045, which requires hospitals to collect data on infections patients acquire through various procedures performed in those facilities. He also signs HB 1278, which requires hospitals to disclose that information to the public and creates a Web site where residents can access data about hospitals (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS [DENVER]). * Also in COLORADO, Gov. Bill Owens (R) vetoes SB 227, which would have required state officials to give the Centennial State legislature a yearly report on companies with 50 or more workers who qualify for programs such as Medicaid (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS [DENVER]).

HOMELAND SECURITY: ARIZONA Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) vetoes HB 2577, which would have imposed fines on Grand Canyon State employers that knowingly hire illegal immigrants and allowed local law enforcement to arrest illegals for trespassing. Napolitano called the measure "a joke," saying it was both unconstitutional and overwhelmingly opposed by state law enforcement (ARIZONA REPUBLIC [PHOENIX]). 

SOCIAL POLICY: The LOUISIANA Senate approves House-made changes to SB 33, a measure that bans all abortion in the Pelican State except those to save the mother's life or to prevent permanent physical impairment. The measure now moves to Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D), who says she will sign it. The proposal only becomes law, however, if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion (TIMES-PICAYUNE [NEW ORLEANS]). * The PENNSYLVANIA House endorses a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. It moves to the Senate, which is expected to take it up later this month. A constitutional amendment requires legislative approval in two consecutive sessions followed by voters' endorsement in a statewide referendum (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER). * OREGON pharmacy officials officially bar Beaver State pharmacists  from lecturing their patients on religious or moral beliefs or confiscating, destroying or tampering with a patient's prescription. State law allows pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for medications like emergency contraception, but it does require them to quickly refer the patient to another facility (OREGONIAN [PORTLAND]). 

POTPOURRI: The ARIZONA Senate endorses SB 1544, which exempts home-based cooking schools from state regulation. Home-based schools would have to post signs stating they are not regulated, limit classes to 15 students and hold no more than one class a day. The measure now moves to the House (ARIZONA REPUBLIC [PHOENIX]). * FLORIDA Gov. Jeb Bush (R) signs legislation that replaces the Sunshine State's 60-year-old ticket scalping law, which forbids selling tickets for more than $1 above the face value, with an open-market system that allows ticket owners and Internet brokers to sell tickets at whatever price they can get. It goes into effect Oct. 1 (MIAMI HERALD). * The MICHIGAN House approves a proposal that would allow Wolverine State motorcycle riders 21 and older to hit the road sans helmet if they have been licensed to operate their bike for two years or have taken a legitimate safety course. The measure roars off to Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D), who has indicated her veto is a no-brainer (LANSING STATE JOURNAL).
 

-- Compiled by RICH EHISEN

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UPCOMING ELECTIONS (06/08/2006 - 06/29/2006): 06/13/2006  Arkansas  Primary Runoff     House  (All)     Senate  (All) Constitutional Officers:  Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer,  Attorney General, State Land Commissioner    US House (All) 06/13/2006  Maine  Primary Election     House  (All)     Senate  (All)  Constitutional Officers:   Governor     US House (All)     US Senate (Olympia Snowe) 06/13/2006  South Carolina  Primary Election     House  (All)  Constitutional Officers:  Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer,   Attorney General, Comptroller     US House (All) 06/18/2006  Alabama  Primary Election     House  (All) 06/18/2006  Alabama  Primary Runnoff      Senate  (All)  Constitutional Officers:  Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer,  Attorney General, State Auditor,  Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries 06/20/2006  South Dakota  second election     House  (All)     Senate  (All)  Constitutional Officers:  Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer,  Attorney General, State Auditor 06/21/2006  Illinois  Primary Election     House  (All) 06/27/2006  Alabama  Primary Runnoff     US House (All) 06/27/2006  Mississippi  primary runoff     US House (All)     US Senate (Lott) 06/27/2006  South Carolina  primary  runnoff if needed     House  (All)     Constitutional Officers:      Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State,  Treasurer, Attorney General, Comptroller     US House (All) 06/27/2006  Utah  General Election     House  (All) 06/27/2006  Utah  Primary Election     Senate  2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22,  24, 26, 28     US House (All)     US Senate (Orrin Hatch)  TOP OF PAGE

Once around the statehouse lightly

A DISMAL DAY FOR DEMOCRACY: That would be Primary Election Day in CALIFORNIA, where only 28 percent of registered voters bothered to show up at the polls. Moreover, notes Capitol Weekly, turnout for the Democratic gubernatorial primary may have been worse than statewide numbers indicate. The reason: voter disgust over the negative tone of the contest between Treasurer Phil Angelides and Controller Steve Westly. The two, vying for the chance to oppose Republican incumbent Arnold Schwarzenegger in November, savaged each other for weeks in television ads and mail drops. Although Angelides prevailed, one tracking poll taken only days before the election showed that 12 percent of those who had already turned in an absentee ballot had "no opinion" on the Angelides-Westly race. Translation: They took a hike on that particular race.

BUT WAS HE THINKING ABOUT IT? Lawmakers in COLORADO have tightened rules regarding per-diem payments to legislators when the Legislature itself is not in session. The old system, reports the Rocky Mountain News, allowed legislative leaders to continue getting $99 a day in the off season if they spent time tending to official duties. The old system needed a lube job, however, after it was revealed that in 2005 Republican Joe Stengel, then serving as House minority leader, had scooped up per diem while vacationing in Hawaii and preparing for the state bar exam. He subsequently resigned his position and repaid the state $891.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? A migraine, if you're MICHIGAN. Seems a donor is willing to give the state $1 million to complete a 92-mile state park bike trail -- with one string attached: The state must name the trail after the donor. That requirement ran afoul of the state Natural Resources Trust Fund Board, which administers the park system. The NRTFB insists that state policy prevents putting a donor's name on a park. A legislative committee disagreed, reports Mlive.com, passing a bill to staple the donor's name to the park. Gov. Jennifer Granholm is embarrassed by the internal squabble, and officials are trying to work out a compromise before the donor pulls the plug.

WHAT'S IN A WORD, PART I: As every editor knows, a little tinkering here and there can improve just about any written word. But does that apply to something as universal as the Ten Commandments? It does in the LOUISIANA Legislature where, according to the Advocate, lawmakers set about tinkering in order to come up with a version for display in government buildings that complies with U.S. Supreme Court edicts about the separation of church and state. Turns out that the Ten Commandments are not universal; there is a Protestant, Catholic and Jewish version. LOUISIANA lawmakers used the King James' version, which a lobbyist pointed out might offend Catholics and Jews, so a red pencil was applied in hopes of avoiding a dispute. One change: The version being used by the Legislature read, "Thou shalt not murder." It was changed to the more familiar, "Thou shalt not kill." And in the Fifth Commandment, "honour" was changed to "honor." No word on whether everyone is now happy.

WHAT'S IN A WORD, PART II: If it's the right word -- or wrong word, in this case -- enough to make a public official resign, reports the Lexington Herald-Leader. The official in question is Brett Hall, chief spokesman for KENTUCKY Gov. Ernie Fletcher. Asked by a reporter last week whether the embattled governor would quit his office, Hall responded with a four-letter expletive. Hall was out by week's end, his resignation requested by the governor's chief of staff. 

THE ANTI-ASSAULT WEAPON: It may not have the rapid-fire capability of an AK-47 or M-16, but muzzleloaders are firearms -- at least in the state of IDAHO. As such, notes the Idaho Statesman, felons can't own one, even if it is an antique. The ruling by a Gem State appellate court was made necessary when a convicted felon tried to hunt with Old Betsy. 
 
 

-- By A.G. BLOCK

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Editor: Rich Ehisen
Associate Editor: Korey Clark
Contributing Editor: A.G. Block
Editorial Advisor: Lou Cannon
Correspondents:  Jeff Kinnison (CA), Steve Karas (CA), 
Bruce McKeeman (CA), Linda Mendenhall (IL), 
Lauren King (MA) and Ben Livingood (PA)
Design: Richard Hansen 

Copyright 2006 State Net
ISSN: 1521-8449