JEFFERSON CITY, MO - With this year's session just getting underway, things are quite hectic around the state capitol, but even with all the new faces and the state budget crisis, Sen. John Cauthorn is ready to get down to business.

"We're all real excited to start this session," Cauthorn said. "I'm ready to begin working for my constituents."

This is Cauthorn's third session as Senator for Missouri's 18th District and it is looking to be one of the most difficult. More than half of the General Assembly is new this session and the state is looking at an one billion dollar deficit. These two issues have most Missouri lawmakers on the edge of their seats.

"This session is not going to be easy, we're dealing with one of the worst financial situations that the state has seen since the Great Depression," Cauthorn said. Despite these overwhelming troubles, Cauthorn appeared quite optimistic about the ability of the General Assembly to find a budget solution.

Recent estimates put Missouri's current $18.9 million budget some $300 million in the red, and the deficit for the 2004 budget year as large as $1 billion.

"You may have heard the "raise taxes" solution already being whispered from the Capitol," Cauthorn said. "Well, raising taxes may look good to some people as a way to even out the ledger, but it's not an easy process to enact."

Cauthorn pointed out that Missouri's Constitution largely prohibits raising taxes by more than approximately $100 million without a vote of the people. Voters roundly rejected three taxes proposals in 2002: one on cell phone calls, one on cigarettes and one on transportation.

"I don't want to right the state's wobbly budget on the backs of Missouri's taxpayers," Cauthorn said. "At the same time, I want to preserve, and wherever possible, enhance the level and accessibility of state services and programs."

The Missouri Senate and House of Representatives convened at noon on Jan. 8 for the 92nd General Assembly's first regular legislative session.

Recent elections changed the Legislature's composition and collective experience level for 2003. Seventeen of the Senate's 34 seats, and all 163 House seats, were up for election in November, 2002. Term limits, approved by voters in 1992 and put fully into play last year, prevented 12 Senators and 73 Representatives from seeking re-election. Voters returned all five eligible Senate incumbents to the Upper Chamber for 2003. They also elected nine House members and three candidates from the private sector to four-year senate terms. The three legislative newcomers in the Senate, along with 90 new Representatives make up the largest freshman class of state lawmakers in recent history.

Post-election, Republicans hold a 20/14 majority in the Senate and a 90/73 majority in the House.

Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen Limbaugh, Jr., administered the oath of office to the Senate's 17 most-recently elected/re-elected members when the State Senate convened for 2003.

"To be sure, these new House and Senate members will bring a host of new ideas to the Capitol and I look forward to working with newcomers and veterans alike," Cauthorn said.

Senators heard the first reading, or introduction, of more than 230 senate bills during the session's first week. Senators have until March 1 to introduce (non-appropriations) bills in the Upper Chamber. All bills must be read three times in their originating chamber (Senate or House) before a vote can be taken on the measure. A passing vote sends the proposal to the non-originating body. A bill must earn passage in both chambers to become law.

Each Missouri General Assembly spans a two-year period, with Senators and Representatives meeting in the Capitol over much of the first five months of each year. State lawmakers could consider more than 1,500 proposed bills and resolutions before the First Regular Session of the 92nd General Assembly ends at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16th.