1.   But Zefer has also spent money like water and produced gaping deficits along the way.

2.   Faced with a stagnant economy and gaping fiscal deficit, Venezuela has quietly increased oil production in violation of its OPEC quota.

3.   If the economy does not improve markedly, the next governor may have to raise taxes or slash services to deal with a gaping deficit next year.

4.   Legislatures and governors nationwide are finding a variety of methods to close gaping deficits without major tax increases.

5.   Even retirees, who have gone months without their pensions because of the gaping federal deficit, are bringing potatoes, warm socks and cigarettes.