JEFFERSON CITY - It was smiles all around after a meeting between Governor Bob Holden and southwest Missouri legislators.
A group of 13 Republican state representatives met with the governor Wednesday morning for almost an hour to discuss the state of Missouri's educational system.
"I'm feeling very good that we've made some definite progress, and that both sides have expressed a willingness to work together," said Rep. Bryan Stevenson, R-Webb City.
Stevenson said while there was "nothing concrete" in terms of policy to come out of the meeting, the gathering did help "identify certain areas where we'd like to work together." He declined to say what those areas might be.
Kevin Wilson, R-Neosho, said the idea of cutting wasteful spending was one area where he thought the two sides could find common ground.
"He (the governor) spoke candidly, we spoke candidly," Wilson said. "But it was a give and take, there wasn't any lecturing that went on."
Wilson said the tone of the meeting was "very respectful," and that he thought both Gov. Holden and the southwest Missouri Republicans were able to lay the groundwork for future progress.
"It was a good open dialogue to get the ball rolling, and I think that opens the door for future cooperation to fix the problems," Wilson said. "There was no posturing, no beating up on anybody...this was just people talking."
Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, R-Joplin, said the meeting was "very comfortable" between the two sides.
"We had a cordial, pleasant meeting," Ruestman said.
Gov. Holden's office also sounded a hopeful note about the meeting.
"The governor really appreciated them coming with an open mind, ready to talk about the issues," said Mary Still, Gov. Holden's spokesperson.
While southwest Missouri legislators have attended meetings with the governor as part of the larger Republican caucus, this was the first time they met with Holden on their own, without the Republican leadership. The legislators said they have not yet scheduled a follow-up meeting, but that they do expect one will take place in the near future.
"As we go through the process, I think they'll be an opportunity for a follow-up visit," Wilson said.
Still said the governor was "happy to have them," and that "his door was always open."
Last July, Holden withheld $195 million of the money the legislature appropriated for elementary and secondary schools, and $22 million earmarked for higher education. In January, he released $75 million for public schools and $8 million for colleges and universities.
Republicans have charged that the governor continues to withhold from local schools money that the legislature appropriated last year. The governor has said he cannot release the money because he does not believe the state will collect enough revenue to fully fund the budget.
Ruestman said she brought up the subject of the governor's withholding of funds, and Holden indicated he would be willing to release the money once he believed enough revenue had come in to the state. However, exactly when that would take place remained unclear.