Clintons Kick Off Annual Easter Egg Roll
Lippo Bank Ordered To Improve Finances
High Court Strikes Down 'Motor Voter' Law In Mississippi
No Legislation Planned On Internet Cults
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Clintons Kick Off Annual Easter Egg Roll
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 31) -- Crowds braved wind, rain, and temperatures in the low 40s at the 119th annual White House Egg Hunt and Roll today. "We hope that despite the weather being just a little bit cool, that you feel as warm and excited as we do to have you back," First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton told the crowd, with the president looking on. More than 500 volunteers organized the festivities, paid for by corporate sponsors. Eager parents and their bundled-up children didn't have much success rolling the eggs, but were still enthusiastic. Among this year's notable guests was actress Jane Seymour, star of TV's "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman," and two of her four children.
Lippo Bank Ordered To Improve Finances
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) today determined that the Lippo Bank "engaged in unsafe or unsound banking practices," ordering the Los Angeles-based institution to boost its capital and undertake a study to see if its management is qualified to "restore the bank to a safe and sound condition." Lippo is owned by James Riady, the Indonesian financier who figures prominently in the Democratic fund-raising scandal. This is the third time in seven years the FDIC has imposed sanctions on Lippo. It's likely that Riady will have to inject several million dollars into Lippo to keep the bank afloat. The Riadys and their Lippo associates have donated more than $850,000 to the Democratic National Committee since 1991.
High Court Strikes Down 'Motor Voter' Law In Mississippi.
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 31) -- The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the so-called "motor voter" law in Mississippi because it conflicts with a law that requires the Justice Department to "pre-clear" any changes in Mississippi voting laws and those of several other states with past histories of racial discrimination. The motor voter law allows voters to register while getting driver's licenses. The decision apparently affects only Mississippi but could apply to other southern and southwestern states covered by civil rights law.
No Legislation Planned On Internet Cults
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 31) -- At this point, congressional lawmakers are not considering any new laws to address the use of the Internet by cults, an informal CNN survey of House and Senate members indicates. The possibility of congressional action was raised following revelations that the Heaven's Gate cult, whose members committed mass suicide last week, had a Web page on the Internet. A spokesman for the House Commerce Committee said, "We've seen the Net site used by the Heaven's Gate cult, and frankly, there's nothing there. Anybody can establish a site. There's no harm in that."
Greens Want To Go National
AUGUSTA, Maine (AllPolitics, March 31) -- In a effort to become a national party, Green Party members from 14 states and the District of Columbia will meet next weekend in Portland, Ore., for a three-day strategy session. Members want to draw up a national platform and a communications and fund-raising strategy to promote the Greens nationwide. The 14 state parties -- Maine, Oregon, Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia and Wyoming -- are associated, but were denied majority party status last November by the Federal Election Commission, which ruled the association had not demonstrated a large enough scope. The Greens' 1996 candidate was consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who spent less than $5,000 and spent little time campaigning.