21.   President K.R. Narayanan, the constitutional figurehead, insisted that lawmakers first adopt the budget before he considers asking one party to lead the new government.

22.   Another question asks whether to give Kuchma the right to dismiss the Rada if it fails to adopt a budget in three months.

23.   Even before the budget was adopted, critics expressed anger at the projected distribution of some funds.

24.   He has proposed that in past years as well, but the state Assembly has restored the money by the time the Legislature has adopted the budgets.

25.   If the draft passes as expected, it would be the first time Russia has adopted a budget before the start of the financial year.

26.   It is expected to go into effect in a few weeks, when the budget is adopted.

27.   Last year, the city did not adopt a budget.

28.   Several top officials sounded hopeful that the budget would be adopted despite the scandal.

29.   Silver and Bruno say they want to finish adopting a budget by the start of Passover, at sunset next Wednesday.

30.   Such a package could emerge either before the Senate adopted its budget Wednesday or later as a compromise worked out between the House and Senate.