OVERWRITE WITH SCRIPT HERE AS MUCH OF THE WORLD WAS RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR - LAWMAKERS ON CAPITOL HILL WERE RINGING IN A PLAN TO AVOID THE SO-CALLED FISCAL CLIFF. BUT WHAT EXACTLY IS IN IT? HERE'S SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PLAN PASSED BY THE SENATE: - THE MEASURE WOULD RAISE TAXES BY ABOUT 600-BILLION OVER 10 YEARS. - IT EXTENDS DECADE OLD TAX CUTS ON INCOMES UP TO 400-THOUSAND FOR INDIVIDUALS, OR 450-THOUSAND FOR COUPLES. EARNINGS ABOVE THAT WOULD BE TAXED AT 39-POINT-6 PERCENT. UP FROM 35-PERCENT. - IT WOULD RAISE TAXES ON CAPITAL GAINS AND DIVIDEND INCOME FOR PEOPLE WITH THOSE EARNINGS FROM 15 TO 20 PERCENT. - IT PERMANENTLY ADDRESSES THE ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX AND INDEXES IT FOR INFLATION. THIS WILL PREVENT NEARLY 30-MILLION MIDDLE AND UPPER-MIDDLE INCOME TAXPAYERS FROM BEING HIT WITH HIGHER TAXE BILLS. - IT EXTENDS FOR FIVE YEARS EXPANSIONS OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, AND A TAX CREDIT FOR COLLEGE TUITION. - IT EXTENDS JOBLESS BENEFITS FOR THE LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED FOR ONE YEAR. - IT WOULD DELAY FOR TWO MONTHS ACROSS-THE-BOARD CUTS TO PENTAGON AND OTHER AGENCIES BUDGETS. - IT BLOCKS A 27-PERCENT CUT IN MEDICARE PAYMENTS TO DOCTORS FOR ONE YEAR. - AND IT RESTORES THE PAYROLL TAX TO SIX-POINT-TWO PERCENT. - THE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THE BILL SOMETIME EITHER TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY.SIGOUT - Name/Associated Press