OTHER NEWS - Feb. 23, 1996

U.S. Posts $19.3-Billion Surplus: The budget crisis restrained spending as the U.S. government posted the surplus in January as quarterly tax returns filled government coffers. The $19.3-billion surplus follows a $15.6-billion surplus a year earlier, the Treasury said. January is usually a surplus month because of the quarterly tax payments. January revenue increased 8.4% from a year earlier to $142.922 billion. Spending rose 6.4% to $123.6 billion as many government programs operated at reduced levels and many federal agencies closed while the White House and congressional Republicans argued over balancing the budget.