Mo. Senate Republicans outline agenda for 2013

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Republicans in the Missouri Senate say they have big plans for the 2013 session. They mean that literally.

Newly nominated Senate President Pro Tem Tom Dempsey laid out a GOP agenda Thursday that is based on the acronym "BIG" -- as in "build" infrastructure, "invest" in education and "grow" the economy.

Senate Republicans plan to meet next week to hammer out more details on those priorities. But some basics already are taking shape.

Eric Schmitt chairs the Senate's economic development committee. Schmitt says he wants to consider broad-based tax cuts in addition to an overhaul of the state's existing tax credits.

Newly chosen Senate Minority Leader Jolie Justus says Democrats also want to focus on job creation.