Missouri Representative Brian Munzlinger (R - 1st Dist.) says the budget is obviously going to be one of the toughest issues for the upcoming legislative session.

Munzlinger says the figures he has looked at show the health care reform that is going on in Washington DC is going to cost the state of Missouri between $250 and $500 million.

"We have to have a balanced budget in Missouri. So either we're looking at cutting education because that's the only place we've got that amount of money or else we're going to have to raise taxes and I'm not in favor of doing that," said Munzlinger.

Lawmakers head back to Jefferson City for session the first week of January.