A new governor, Democrat Jay Nixon, will be sworn in Jan. 12. But Nixon, whose election campaign pledged to restore cuts to some state programs authored under his predecessor, Republican Matt Blunt, may face strong opposition from the Republican-controlled Legislature. "It will be interesting to see how those issues play out," said Rep. Mike Sutherland (R-99) of Warrenton, who begins his fourth, and final, two-year term. "The governor-elect made some promises during his campaign," Sutherland added. "He either has to not follow through on what he said or propose some tax increases to fund what he wants to do." With tax revenues down substantially throughout the state of Missouri in the last half of 2008, Sutherland said he doubts this is a good time to give people the news of imminent tax increases. The key to how the new legislative session will unfold will come later in January when Nixon unveils the annual gubernatorial "State of the State" address. "More than ever, I think we (Legislature) need to think in terms of spending money wisely," observed Sutherland. "I believe we need to remember that families in each community are struggling. "Government works for the people," added Sutherland, "not the other way around." Sutherland has had one other Legislative session with a Democratic governor during his six years in the legislature. Bob Holden was in the final two years of his term when Sutherland first took office in 2003. He said it was too soon to determine if the 2009 session will be a confrontational one. "The governor may have different priorities than that of the Legislature," said Sutherland. "But just because you have a Democratic governor and a Republican-controlled Congress doesn't mean you can't get anything done." There is also a new speaker of the house, Republican Ron Richard of Joplin. A new Senate majority leader, Republican Charlie Shields of St. Joseph, will also be in place. "They will provide a little different feel for this session," Sutherland explained. As he prepares for his final term in office, Sutherland stressed the legislators might "face some tough choices" as they prepare to get back to work. "The choices probably won't be as tough as those we faced as when I started my first term," Sutherland said. In those days, Missouri faced a difficult budget shortfall crisis. But the state has rebounded in the past few years and now is in the enviable position of having a budget surplus situation. "The past couple of years, it's been a case of how to spend money, rather than how to save it," recalled Sutherland. "We might have to go back to where we figure out how to save again, rather than spend. "Missouri isn't in as bad a position, entering 2009, as many of the neighboring states," he added. "But now is a good time to start thinking about saving money before the situation gets bad again." Sutherland's first six years in office have been marked by his support of legislation including the reduction of taxes on seniors, the establishment of the state sales tax holiday, simplifying tax law verbiage and improvements to housing for seniors. He also enters the 2009 session as the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means committee. "I don't feel a particular sense of urgency entering my last term," he said. "I think I've been able to get quite a lot done and I'm proud of those accomplishments." And as far as his role on the ways and means committee? "I'm always going to advocate spending the taxpayers' money wisely," Sutherland noted. "I will try to make sure we do that over the next two years. It's more important than ever considering the times we face today."