Gov. proposes bill to give him budget power

(AP) - Gov. David Paterson is proposing emergencylegislation to empower him to close a $3.2 billion deficit in theface of inaction by the Legislature. Paterson announced this morning that he's seeking the one-timepower in a bill to the Legislature. The bill would give him powerto make spending cuts and take other actions to provide enough cashfor the state to pay its December bills. It's unclear whether the Legislature will approve thelegislation. The state has faced a $3.2 billion deficit for months, but thegovernor and Legislature have been unable to agree on how toaddress it.