Springfield, MO Some republicans in the Missouri legislature say they will have to do a balancing actthis session. On the one hand, many republicans oppose the democratic governor'splan to raise taxes. On the other hand, many republicans realize they have constituents who depend on state services. KSMU's Missy Shelton talked with oneSpringfield republican about this dilemma. Mark Wright is serving his third term in the Missouri house of representatives. he listened closely last week as Missouri's democratic governor Bob Holden laid out his plan to balance the budget. Holden's proposal includes tax increases on cigarettes, gambling and the wealthy. Wright says he knows how his constituents feel about tax increases.
Missy server-Mark2a-b regions-runs :08 But Wright says many of those same constituents who oppose tax increases depend on state services'services that could lose funding if lawmakers opt to cut the budget instead of raise taxes. Wright says he's aware that some residents in his district need help from the state.
Missy server-Mark3a-b region-runs :36 He says with his constituents opposed to tax increases but also dependent on state services, he's in a tough situation. He says he's confident lawmakers will find plenty to cut from the budget but he's not sure it will add up to the projected one billion dollar shortfall. Wright says he tries to take everything into consideration in making decisions about budget cuts and tax increases.
Missy server-Mark4a-b regions-runs :37 When governor Bob Holden presented his budget to lawmakers, he did not give them a list of programs and state services that would suffer if they don't send voters a tax increase package'in his state of the state address, the governor said he won't sign a budget with one billion dollars in cuts'Wright says with that warning from the governor, it's time for lawmakers and the governor to come together to avoid a special session.