Legislatures are also starting to crack down, mandating fingerprint and criminal record checks of teachers and protecting employers who give unfavorable references from lawsuits.

In the state budget passed last week over Mr. Pataki's threat of a veto, the Legislature mandated collection of sales tax from the tribes.

Counties have complained that they will have to raise property and sales taxes this year because Medicaid costs are spiraling out of control, in part because of programs that the Legislature has mandated.

Had this layoff been done with the spirit the Legislature mandated, the impact wouldn't have been as bad.

In 2003 the Legislature mandated that collection efforts resume; Gov. George E. Pataki vetoed the budget that included the measure, but his veto was overridden.

But that vote did not mention opening up the benefits program, so the Legislature mandated another vote on the issue of who should get native benefits.

The Legislature mandated police presence in the 1930's after rival political groups brawled at the polls.

In April 1998, the Legislature mandated the maps and included money for them in the state budget, but Mr. Pataki vetoed the spending.

"The Legislature has mandated that written informed consent must be obtained from an individual prior to the performance of any HIV-related test," the court said in a decision written by Judge Richard D. Simons.

"It's a complete idea," said Mr. Whitty, who along with the professors here began work on the mileage tax in 2001, after the Legislature mandated an examination of alternatives to the traditional gas tax.