However, area lawmakers from both parties vowed to work through their differences and get more done. We would hope that he's learned underneath his boss well and keep the same momentum that the governor has. Zien takes Chvala at his word, at least for now. Elected by his colleagues to chair the Senate's Republican caucus, Zien said it was possible that both houses could agree on a plan to help senior citizens pay for expensive prescription drugs, which was not achieved in the last session. Thompson had promised that he would not run again, but later said he would keep his options open.
All lawmakers have their own wish lists.
And if there's another budget surplus, he wants to use it to provide more property-tax relief. In education, Shibilski said he wanted to expand the SAGE program that provides for smaller class sizes, and help school districts that are struggling to make ends meet under their state-mandated revenue limits. Zien said his top priority is for the state to open the privately owned prison at Stanley. A warden was named last week. Zien and Suder both said they wanted to pass the proposed constitutional right to hunt and fish.