They see the idea as a Republican ploy to win a House majority and say it would sacrifice valuable expertise by forcing experienced legislators to retire.

Last year, Mr. Corzine showed real courage by forcing Democratic legislators to meet the budget crisis by increasing the sales tax.

Rarely has he tried to rally public opinion to force legislators into action or trade votes for political favors.

The inexorable erosion of New Jersey beaches is permanently changing the state's coastline and forcing local officials, environmental experts and legislators into a quandary.

In this case, he said, slowing down the process would force individual legislators to take responsibility for the budget.

Some use petitions like the House, though others allow a motion to be made to discharge the committee, forcing legislators to vote.

In addition, he forced legislators to comply with campaign disclosure laws.

Fire struck part of the 19th-century legislative office building today, causing extensive damage and forcing legislators and others to evacuate.

The court's ruling, the Governor said, destroyed the framework on which existing regulations were based, forcing legislators to revise the Depression-era licensing system.

Forcing legislators to keep their paperwork in the trunk of their cars was obviously not a great plan.