The state’s House and Senate Republicans will be together when they talk to the media later today, as will the minority Democrats from both chambers.
House Speaker Todd Richardson (left) and Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard (right).
Senate Leader Ron Richard told Missourinet this morning he and his House counterpart, Speaker Todd Richardson, have a good relationship, and the joint press conference is symbolic of their plans to work together to achieve goals.
“I think you’re going to see a real partnership and you’re not going to see the hallway chatter trying to split up the two sides of the building,” said Richard.
Richard said the teamwork should pay off on some legislation.
“We don’t know what those issues will be,” said Richard. “They all kind of peak from time-to-time and what we think is important now may not be in two weeks.”
Two priorities at the start of the session are ethics reform and transportation funding.
The session begins at noon today. Democrats will hold their press conference after the two chambers adjourn; the Republicans will hold one at 4 p.m.
After the ceremony of the opening day, Richard and Richardson will spend the next couple of days referring bills that were prefiled to committees. Committee hearings begin next week.
Richardson told Missourinet his chamber will try to quickly pass some ethics bills to the Senate.