By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Governor Holden and Republican legislative leaders today confronted one another with starkly different financial approaches.
On a tense and raucous day four of the special legislative session, hundreds of spectators cheered and jeered the various
plans for state spending and taxing
Holden implored a joint session to ask the voters to raise taxes. The Democratic leader said that's the only way to avoid what he described as "devastating cuts to education and health care."
But Republican Senate President Pro-Tem Peter Kinder and House Speaker Catherine Hanaway flatly rejected tax increases. They
accused Holden of seeking a government shut-down, by refusing to accept a budget that would lead to government living within its means.
Hundreds of people crammed into the House galleries conversely applauded and booed the politicians as they made their speeches.
Supporters from education and labor groups chanted "Holden, Holden, Holden..." as the governor entered the House chamber to
address the joint session.
Many wore pink stickers declaring,
"Education cuts don't heal."
They were countered by supporters from business groups wearing red shirts proclaiming, "STOP HOLDEN'S TAXES!" They chanted that slogan when the Democratic leader implored lawmakers to let the
people decide on taxes or spending cuts.