Changes to Missouri's sentencing procedures and judicial appointments are among some lawmakers' priorities this new year.
It happens almost every year, where the lawmakers who head the majority parties in the state House and Senate begin each legislative session with a pronouncement of the priorities to be pushed during the coming 5 1/2 months.
But they often have other priorities that get less publicity or public discussion in the new session's early days.
For both House Speaker Steve Tilley, R-Perryville, and Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer, R-Dexter, the announced priority lists include a balanced state budget, no tax increases and putting more Missourians to work, with changes in a number of laws to, they said, help Missouri be more friendly to businesses that might create those jobs.
But, with little public discussion, both men also endorsed last month's final report of the state's Working Group on Sentencing and Corrections.