71.   Falling energy prices, lower interest rates and tax rebate checks are expected to lift the economy in the second half of the year.

72.   Hollings led an unsuccessful effort last week to block the rebate checks taxpayers are due to receive in coming weeks.

73.   I was able to herald the fact that the first rebate checks made it into the mail, and I heralded it from a remote location here in Genoa.

74.   Meanwhile, Senate Finance Chairman Charles Grassley told The Associated Press today that Congress is unlikely to approve tax rebate checks this year.

75.   On the positive side, however, retailing and other consumer stocks could soon trend higher as federal income tax rebate checks begin hitting mailboxes this month.

76.   Senate Republicans are considering plans that would either mail rebate checks to taxpayers or temporarily reduce the amount withheld from paychecks, said the aide.

77.   Several lawmakers want rebate checks to arrive just before the holiday buying season.

78.   Tax rebate checks mailed to New Jerseyans in September were supposed to offset school tax increases for homeowners.

79.   The hope is that consumers will start spending their rebate checks as soon as they receive them.

80.   The leading option is a new round of tax rebate checks, which could arrive in time for the critical holiday shopping season.