Developments Thursday in the Florida presidential election recount:

COURTS:

–In the U.S. Supreme Court, lawyers for Texas Gov. George W. Bush argued that the Florida Legislature has the power to name the state’s presidential electors. Republicans control both houses and would likely make Bush president-elect. Lawyers for Vice President Al Gore said the Legislature had no such authority.

–In the Florida Supreme Court, Gore asked that a state judge be told to undertake the immediate review of 14,000 ballots from Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. Republicans said tabulating machines scanned the ballots previously and did not find any valid votes for president.

–In Miami, two lawyers said they would file suit in state court Friday in an effort to toss out overseas absentee ballots that were received in 10 counties after Election Day. If they win, it could cost Bush votes.

IN FLORIDA:

–A committee of the Florida Legislature recommended a special session as early as next week to name the state’s presidential electors. Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph+Lieberman said the move could trigger a constitutional crisis.

–More than 462,000 Palm Beach County ballots arrived at the Leon County Courthouse in Tallahassee after a 450-mile truck ride from West Palm Beach. Spectators flocked to see the yellow Ryder truck as it traveled the Ronald Reagan Turnpike. A judge could decide this weekend if those ballots, plus more than 600,000 ballots to be brought north from Miami-Dade, should be examined further.

ELSEWHERE:

–Bush met at his Crawford, Texas, ranch with retired Gen. Colin Powell, his would-be secretary of state, and vice presidential running mate Dick Cheney to discuss national security and foreign policy.

–In Washington, Gore and Lieberman discussed using a ‘citizen committee’ to advise their transition to the presidency, if their court challenges to Bush’s 537-vote edge in Florida is successful.

–Sen. John Breaux, D-La., said he had been contacted by Bush supporters about possibly serving as secretary of energy.

–In Washington, current Clinton administration employees began turning in resignation letters, effective Jan. 20, Inauguration Day. Also, the White House told would-be aides to Bush and Gore to begin compiling their personal information so the FBI can check their backgrounds more efficiently.

QUOTES:

–‘When the counting stops, we want to be prepared to lead this nation.’ — Bush, between meetings with Powell, whom he plans to name secretary of state.

–‘This is boring, it’s tedious but there is nothing unseemly going on.’ — Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., watching Miami-Dade poll workers pack thousands of ballots for a Friday trip to a Tallahassee courthouse.

–‘They may have to change the rules and leave Clinton in office until they get this settled.’ — Doris Hill, 74, of Birmingham, Ala., after posing for a picture in front of the Ryder truck.