That approach would leave the Republicans with enormous budget problems.

His death leaves the Republicans without a candidate at a time when the rules for replacing candidates are under litigation in Federal court here.

Indeed, the shifts have left the Republicans, more so than Democrats, scrambling to rebuild a base of support and a rationale for election.

That would leave the Republicans with only a four-vote majority.

In part the times have left the Republicans without their traditional issues: the economy and the battle against Communism, welfare and crime.

But that still left the Republicans a vote short of passage.

Democrats won nine seats on the board, leaving the Republicans with eight.

November's election left the Republicans with an 11-to-7 majority, a gain of one seat, and even Democrats saw no reason for any last-minute change.

The board's weighted voting system leaves the Republicans with majority control.