51.   State lawmakers approved a bill Saturday that would ban the execution of murderers who are mentally retarded, but the bill faces an uncertain future.

52.   State lawmakers also approved legislation in January to allow the Nassau County Medical Center on Long Island to make the same transition.

53.   Texas lawmakers approved a bill allowing mutual property and casualty insurers to convert to publicly held companies, joining about a dozen other states that have passed similar measures.

54.   The governor said tort reform approved by lawmakers contributed to the cut, which does not take effect until January.

55.   The increase in Telebras and other shares came after lawmakers approved a temporary tax on financial transactions.

56.   The lawmakers finally approved the measure with bipartisan support in late March.

57.   The lawmakers also approved legislation providing for DNA testing for many criminal defendants and prisoners, as well as a bill to increase payments to people wrongfully imprisoned.

58.   The key, Byrd said, is whether the lawmakers approve the funding for the proposed massive changes along the borders.

59.   The legislation would give the president power to negotiate trade agreements that cannot be amended by Congress, though lawmakers would still approve any final deal.

60.   The reductions must be approved by lawmakers on Capitol Hill.