New York's status as the nation's most prominent state where the major parties' are held hostage by the minor parties is coming under new scrutiny. As the Gubernatorial and other state-wide races begin to heat up, Democratic and Republican leaders are privately wringing their hands about the stranglehold over their nominating process by the Independence, Conservative and Working Families Parties. Legislation requiring a political party to nominate one of their own members only, and ending New York's tradition of cross-endorsements, may be in the offing.