Europe, seeking to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, has encouraged the development of alternative energy by offering hefty subsidies for people to put up windmills on their property.

Most people (at least in the US) buy their phones through their network operator, receiving a hefty subsidy on the price of the phone in return for a lengthy contractual obligation.

Most troubling of all, officials estimate that three million of these people are poor enough to qualify for hefty subsidies that would cover the vast majority of their drug bills.

Disney is getting a hefty city-state subsidy, but some theater figures are baffled by Mr. Drabinsky's gamble.

Antonio Fernández, a member of the village's fiesta committee, fears the loss in meat sales means the community will have to provide a hefty subsidy to keep its bullfight going.

That's a hefty subsidy: Parking in Manhattan can cost $400 a month.

Despite the downturn, it continues to pay the salaries of public employees and hefty subsidies to state enterprises.

Unlike the Victorine, which receives no government money, the Spanish government hands out hefty subsidies, including a reported six million euros - more than $8 million - for "Astérix."

In other words, instead of saving money by subcontracting its role to private plans, Medicare was in effect required to pay H.M.O.'s a hefty subsidy.

American companies say Canadian timber fees are so low they amount to a hefty subsidy.