January 21, 2002

Experts agree that political war now escalating over budget will revolve, in part, around interests and apprehensions of older Americans; both political calendar and issue agenda are pushing parties toward rough debate about who has elderly's best interests at heart; this year's critical Congerssional elections will play out amid increasing strains of aging society, slugging economy, resurgence in health care costs and disappearing budget surplus (M)

Florida's thriving economy is exemplified by Port St Lucie; in last year, Port St Lucie metropolitan area has had fastest growing economy in Florida, and Florida has had fastest growing economy in United States; data and economists say that state may not be booming the way Port St Lucie is, but it is holding up better than almost anywhere else; state's relative strength goes long way toward describing current recession; Florida economy has comparatively little manufacturing, sector hit hardest in this downturn, and many of items Florida does make, like boats and orange juice, are selling better than clothing, lumber, steel and semiconductors from other regions; photo; map (L)

Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Baltimore Ravens, 27-10, in second round of playoffs; advance to AFC championship game against New England Patriots; photo (M)

Business Digest column

States, which have been building more prisons for three decades and passing tougher sentencing laws, are being forced by budget deficits to close some prisons, lay off guards and considering shortening sentences; in last month, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois have each moved to close a prison, laying off guards in process; California, which led nation's prison-building boom, will close five small, privately operated minimum security prisons when their contracts expire this year; photo (L)