If it is true that tough times have a way of bringing people together, then it may be that the upcoming session of the Missouri General Assembly will be marked more by cooperation than conflict.

State Sen. Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, is in line to assume the office of Senate president pro tem – in the view of many, the second most important position in state government. In this role he will have enormous influence over the progress of legislation.

Across the negotiating table will be Governor-elect Jay Nixon, a four-term state attorney general who captured more than 58 percent of the vote Tuesday over Republican Kenny Hulshof.

The two men differ markedly in their approaches, but both outline similar legislative priorities and they will share the same struggling economy. Their key issues include:

--Create new jobs in the state.

--Expand access to health care.

--Enhance higher education opportunities.

Mr. Nixon talks of wanting to recruit high-tech and life-sciences jobs to the state. Sen. Shields is well-known for championing the effort to attract a high-tech airplane manufacturer to the Kansas City area.

Mr. Nixon’s campaign platform featured restoring Medicaid services cut in 2005. Sen. Shields counters that would be “very difficult from a budget standpoint.” Sen. Shields instead expresses willingness to find a way to provide health insurance coverage to the 600,000 state residents who don’t have it.

Mr. Nixon speaks of making higher education more affordable. Sen. Shields not only has supported higher education in the past, but also wants to bring new focus to early childhood education.

The biggest point of conflict is spending priorities. Mr. Nixon indicated he would work within the constraints of anticipated state revenues, but adds “I think Missourians sent a pretty strong message” with his lopsided victory.

The very real concern is whether Mr. Nixon would be able to pay for his priorities without a major funding shift from other areas, tax increases or drawing down state reserves. Sen. Shields’ track record suggests he will be conservative on spending and argue, as he should, against all three moves.

Key players on all sides are talking, at least for now, about the need to find common ground, forge compromises and work for bipartisan solutions.

In the words of Sen. Victor Callahan, D-Independence and the new Senate minority leader: “I think the public wants to hear different ideas, but they want government to work together and solve those things, regardless of party.”

If so, party leaders will need to find a way to stay true to their principles while making this happen.