21.   A merged Berlin-Brandenburg state would make the project more likely by smoothing the planning process and increasing the financial clout behind it.

22.   A few states have made reforms on their own, but it is unrealistic to expect every state legislature to let this issue cut line in already lengthy agendas.

23.   A half-dozen states have made it a felony to sidestep the hour-glass-shaped system.

24.   About four years ago, the Senate Transportation Committee agreed to stop approving new specialty license plates because the state was making so many different varieties.

25.   Addressing another problem that arose in Florida, the bill would require states to make it easier for military personnel and others overseas to cast absentee ballots.

26.   Bush supports letting states make the decision on wage rates.

27.   But Baweja said the states had made few commitments.

28.   But before the state makes its changes, the high-tech industry will have already offered some of its own suggestions.

29.   But blocking them would have been easier if the state had made them an issue when the deal was being negotiated.

30.   But few states are making equally strong efforts to keep youthful offenders from returning to prison once they are released.