Although lobbyists and some politicians predicted that severe economic dislocations would result from the curtailment of dozens of longstanding tax benefits, economists have detected few calamaties.

Lawmakers and lobbyists predict that the next Congress will take an incremental approach to health care, pursuing changes much more modest than those initially proposed by the President.

The vote, 34 to 26, was not as close as lobbyists on both sides of the issue were predicting only an hour before the debate.

Other corporate lobbyists predicted that the legislation would survive, if only because the European tariffs will become increasingly painful.

But lobbyists and lawmakers predict that this year will be different because the fund is running dry.

Some lobbyists even predicted that the House might not pass a bill at all in a legislative year shortened by the political campaigns.

Mr. Bush confirmed that he was preparing a comprehensive new effort to rein in the growth of domestic spending, as lawmakers and lobbyists had predicted.

Due to the delays, several lobbyists have predicted a messy scene in 2006, when the state will hold elections for the senator, governor and the State Legislature.

No Veto Expected Though President Reagan could still decide to veto the legislation, members of Congress, their aides and lobbyists predicted that he would not.

Some lawmakers and lobbyists predict that the Racing Association has the political clout to stop the sale if the mayor chooses an out-of-state bidder.