Many of these decisions are the result of intense bargaining among leaders of the conference committee.

After months of intense bargaining, the Legislature adopted an education reform bill without right-wing anti-public-schools amendments.

The agreement capped several days of intense bargaining by members of the governing council.

A few minutes of intense bargaining followed, fueled by the fact that the train would leave the station at any minute.

Several days of intense bargaining are expected before the next coalition is forged and a Prime Minister named.

After intense bargaining, EU membership talks were launched in October 2005.

Two weeks of intense bargaining and five months of preparatory negotiations yielded a compromise that slashed $500 billion from the deficit over five years.

Negotiators for the two sides also said it would be hard for them to engage in intense bargaining during a holiday period.

Mr. Cuomo's announcement appeared to set the stage for some intense bargaining with the Legislature, whose leaders criticized his challenge to their privilege.

While there was intense bargaining last weekend, no talks have taken place this week.