31.   Prime Minister Costas Simitis pushed forward plans to overhaul indebted state companies, defying the second general strike in a week and silencing critics within his own party.

32.   President Clinton is pushing a plan to balance the budget in nine years, while congressional Republicans want to see deficits eliminated in seven.

33.   Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto is pushing this plan --which is getting a lot of heat -- because he has to.

34.   Republicans appear to see the opportunity for building support among Hispanic voters if the plan is eventually pushed through Congress and Bush is given the opportunity to veto it.

35.   Republicans pushed their plan for another round of tax cuts that would largely benefit companies and upper-income people.

36.   Senator Edward M. Kennedy fought for an amendment to push the plan ahead, tying up Senate debate for more than a week.

37.   Some conservatives said Republicans created their own political problems by pushing plans to wall off the Social Security portion of the budget.

38.   Some also contend that pushing a plan opposed by President Bush verges on the unpatriotic.

39.   State attorneys general also are pushing the plan so they can get funds to help defray the cost of caring for sick smokers.

40.   Still, Barnes is well-positioned to push the plan in the Legislature.