Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, told colleagues Wednesday "we must act, and do so swiftly to pass a balanced budget without a tax increase for the people of Missouri."
At the same time Mayer was addressing the Senate on the Legislature's opening day for the 2012 session, House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, told Missouri representatives: "We will force government to live within its means, balance the state budget, and hold the line on taxes, period."
Even though state government is facing another budget hole estimated to be from $450 million to $500 million, neither Tilley nor Mayer sounded open to the idea of increasing state revenues, as some have urged.