TYLER - Leaders from Longview and Tyler met today to get to know each other in hopes of working together more often in the future.

Longview's mayor, Jay Dean, started off the meeting by saying he would like to collaborate more with Tyler on workforce development.

He says Tyler's developmental services are strong, and he wants to learn more about their processes.

There was also economic discussion, including talk about the half-cent sales tax revenue program that helps Tyler pay down its debt.

Leaders discussed what to do if federal stimulus money makes its way to Tyler or Longview as well.

Mayor dean says this meeting comes at an important time, "It's the beginning of the legislative session and what we want to do is possibly discuss the same issues that we both share."

This is the first time leaders have met in about 5 years, but they say they hope this meeting starts a precedent for more frequent reunions.