http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/lawmakerso_1611.mp3
Medicaid, providing help to failing public schools and tax cuts were the top priorities Republican leaders cited Wednesday as the new legislative session began. Democrats say they want to see increased higher education funding and the restoration of the Medicaid cuts. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports on the first day of session from Jefferson City.
And with that, Secretary of State Robin Carnahan opened the first day of session in the Missouri House of Representatives.
Newly elected lawmakers were sworn in and Republican Rod Jetton was re-elected speaker.
In his remarks to the House, Jetton called for a tax cut.
Both Republicans and Democrats stood and applauded the Speaker's call to cut taxes on social security benefits.
But in a press conference later in the day, House Democratic Leader Jeff Harris says Democrats want to see targeted cuts that benefit low income seniors.
During his opening day speech on the House floor, Harris made it clear that Democrats want any surplus revenues to go into healthcare.
The current Medicaid program is scheduled to end in 2008 so creating a new state-funded healthcare system for the poor is a top priority of both parties this session.
Republican Governor Matt Blunt is expected to unveil his plans for a re-vamped program during his State of the State Address on January 24th.
As for Southwest Missouri Representatives...Republican Bob Dixon of Springfield who is serving again this year as Majority Caucus Chairman says he has several priorities for this session.
The priorities of Democrat Sara Lampe of Springfield center primarily on education.
Lampe says funding is a key issue.
The governor was not in the House or Senate for the opening day of session. Lawmakers were waiting to see if the Governor would call them into special session to address his plan to use assets from the state's student loan authority to pay for university construction projects. If there is a special session, it would run concurrent to the regular session.