Legislative leaders, who are now addressing reporters at the AP Legislative Preview, say a tough legislative session lies ahead. "If you've got a price tag, we've told our legislators, please leave it in your drawer until a better time," new Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill said. Money will be the main topic of the session, he said. "We're going to be pretty grouchy, particularly by the time this session is over. We're probably facing the worst year coming up that I've ever seen." House Speaker Lawerence Denney said, "There could be a considerable hole to fill this year and we'll have to fill that hole either by making additional budget cuts or finding additional revenue. And either one of those options is going to be very difficult. I suspect that we will find someplace in the middle that we meet."

Senate Minority Leader Edgar Malepeai said, "If we're going to solve the problems ... it's going to require a collaborative effort." The governor will play a key role, he said. House Minority Leader John Rusche said, "Make no mistake, what we do now sets us on the road to the future."