U.S. Budget Deficit Grows to $27.6 Billion
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government recorded a budget deficit of $27.6 billion last month, much bigger than the $16.9 billion deficit posted for November 1998.</br></br>The Treasury Department said that last month's revenue totaled $121.4 billion while expenditures came to $149 billion. Slipping tax collections for the month accounted for most of the difference between the November 1999 and November 1998 budget totals.</br></br>For the first two months of fiscal year 2000, which began Oct. 1, the government is running a deficit of $54 billion.</br></br>A budget surplus still is expected for all of 2000, however. The Clinton administration is predicting a $142.5 billion surplus for fiscal 2000 and $168.2 billion in 2001. For all of fiscal year 1999, which ended Sept. 30, the government reported a record surplus of $123.6 billion.</br></br>---