Bettman said the governors hope to hear Friday from the league's committee on revenue and currency.

The governor hopes the bond issue will eventually take the state's taxpayers off the hook.

The governor hopes the club will help children develop a love of reading.

The governor hoped he would never be faced with such a decision again.

The governor also hoped to increase taxes on cigarettes, alcohol, and luxury and gas-guzzling cars.

The seven governors hope that other states will follow their example, leading eventually to the adoption of a national program.

"The governor hopes the lawsuit won't be a distraction for the commission," Mr. Everhart said.

The governors hope that e-commerce companies would then volunteer to start collecting taxes because the task would no longer be onerous.

The governor, lawmakers and court officials had hoped to push through a raise last fall, but were set off course by the Sept. 11 terrorist attack.

"Clearly the governor is hoping to avoid and delay any real investment."