None of the other tax increases in the budget package take effect until Jan. 1.

But how credible a solution is this particular budget package?

In recent weeks, administration officials had been critical of the proposal that was put into the budget package.

In the end, not a single Republican voted for the balanced budget package.

But he, like other Democrats, did vote in favor of the budget package.

Without an energy tax, the budget package may be a bit smaller in its impact the first year.

The budget package helped produce a growing economy and created new jobs.

The most important elements of the Democrats' budget package were settled long ago.

The issue will now go to Congress on its own, not as part of the budget package.

For example, we have to watch very carefully the implementation of the budget package.