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NPR's John Burnett reports that as the nation debates President Bush's proposed $1.6 trillion tax cut, state lawmakers in Texas have a queasy feeling of deja vu. Texas slashed taxes under then-Governor Bush and now many legislators wish they hadn't. With health costs soaring and sales tax revenues rising more slowly than predicted, the state finds itself wondering how to pay for unforeseen expenses.

NPR's Richard Gonzales examines California Governor Gray Davis' handling of the state's energy crisis and the consequences on his political future.

Mark Degon of member station WRNI in Providence reports on the controversy surrounding Mayor Vincent Cianci, who's been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly taking bribes in exchange for jobs, tax reductions, and city contracts. Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Almond says Cianci should resign, but the mayor says he's done nothing wrong and will fight the allegations in court. Cianci is still popular and is widely credited with making Providence a model for urban renewal.

Scott talks with two of the thirteen people who took a Freedom Ride from Washington, D.C. to New Orleans in 1961. At the time he joined the ride, B. Elton Cox was minister living in High Point, North Carolina. Edward Blankenheim was a student at the University of Arizona.

NPR's Richard Gonzales reports on California Governor Gray Davis' address to his constituents last night. Lawmakers in the state are working on a solution to California's power woes.

Robert Siegel talks with Maryland State Sen. Barbara Hoffman, a Democrat from Baltimore, about her proposal to require gun safety courses for all Maryland public school students. The legislation passed the House of Delegates yesterday in a vote 98 to 32. If the Senate passes it, and the governor signs it, Maryland would be the first state in the nation to require firearms instruction.

David Darman of New Hampshire Public Radio reports that the state legislature is considering its first-ever sales tax. New Hampshire's governor is pushing the idea, over the protests of shopkeepers who say a sales tax will change the way they do business.

NPR's Michele Kelemen reports from Moscow on the Russian president's efforts to tighten Moscow's reins on regional governments. A year after Vladimir Putin's election, he has failed to follow through on his pledge to curb the power of Russia's governors.

A glance at the political news from New Jersey might lead onlookers to think there's a resurgence of corruption in the state. Investigators are looking into allegations against New Jersey's acting governor, Donald Di Francesco. And a list of lower officials -- the Bergen County sheriff, the mayor of Camden, a city engineer in Paterson -- have all made recent headlines with their own scandals. Robert Siegel talks to Daniel Barry, a reporter on the metropolitan desk of the New York Times.

Hes has been covering Texas politics for over 20 years and is currently in Washington, covering the first six months of President George W. Bushs administration. Hell talk about the differences between George W. Bush the governor and George W. Bush the President. Herman will also talk about President Bushs first few months in office- his new policies, the outcome of his campaign promises, and the press corps reaction to Bush.