In an unusual regional move to crack down on tobacco, legislators from all four jurisdictions have met to make their proposals as uniform as possible.

While the legislators met, representatives from restaurants and taverns held a news conference in Farmingville to voice their objections.

Originally, legislators met biennally, but today meet annually.

Residents and legislators met in October 1993 to discuss possible solutions to the recurring sinkhole problems.

Most other states have followed suit, since few legislators have ever met a new source of revenue they didn't like.

Unable to achieve a quick consensus, the legislators will meet again on Monday to continue the debate.

Lobbyists say they hope that once legislators have met them over a drink, they will be more inclined to take their phone calls.

On Friday, legislators will meet for the eighth time to try to agree on an agenda for a joint legislative meeting.

The 10 legislators, 5 from the North and 5 from the South, are meeting to work out the agenda for a joint parliamentary meeting.

The horse trading started at 5 P.M. Monday as legislators met in a conference committee.