Senate Finance Committee Chairman Lloyd Bentsen offered an alternative to a child-care tax credit backed by President Bush and, in a memo to committee members, Bentsen said he would ask the

panel to endorse his “children’s initiative” Wednesday. The plan also includes a new tax credit to help pay for children’s health insurance. It would replace the $2.5-billion tax-credit plan

offered by Bush but is not intended to undermine a separate child-care bill sponsored by Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), which would provide federal funds for more child-care slots and

set minimum federal standards for day-care centers. Bentsen planned to unveil his proposal today. MORE TO READ