But his comments were the first public indication of how agency officials intended to use the surplus.

"We don't want to invent programs to use the surplus on."

The Governor is calling for using the surplus in two major initiatives.

And I'm not even talking office supplies; I use the surplus from the boys.

But some people seemed to prefer more federal spending over tax cuts as a way to use the surplus.

"President Clinton would rather use the surplus for more Washington spending."

This year, some members of Congress wanted to use the surplus for a big tax cut.

Now, they face the prospect of a Republican president who plans to use the surplus and the public's good will for a huge tax cut.

It would be disappointing if people used the surplus for political advantage through increased spending or another tax cut.

Without agreement on how to use the surplus, its very existence reduced the debt.