She is one of the country's leading career, retirement and personal finance authorities.

Once the Legislature acts, the finance authority's board will meet to consider giving the plan final approval.

The state allowed the city to borrow up to $7.5 billion beyond its debt limit for construction projects through that finance authority.

At the finance authority, which provides low-interest loans for home mortgages, the average work week is 37.5 hours.

The city has also pledged the receipts from its personal income tax as backing for the finance authority's debt.

An analysis by the finance authority found the shortfall could swell to more than $208 million by 2005.

Nassau officials are planning to deliver their four-year financial plans to the finance authority on Wednesday.

"We had no road map on how to do this," said Ted Chapler, head of the state's finance authority.

The state's public finance authority sold $2 billion in bonds for unemployment benefits, and it's authorized to sell $1.5 billion more if necessary.

It would flow through a special finance authority, and the City Council would have to approve any use of the money.