JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer pledged to unite a divided Republican caucus behind a conservative agenda during the 2011 legislative session.

Last week, it became apparent that Mayer has not united Republican senators — not unless you count the fact they were largely united against his attempts at compromise.

Mayer and Senate Majority Leader Tom Dempsey struck a deal last month with four filibustering senators to allow a vote on an unemployment bill. Part of that agreement called for Mayer and Dempsey to help identify up to $250 million of cuts to Missouri’s federal stimulus projects.

But they could not deliver on that because most of their fellow Republicans opposed the cuts. Ultimately, the filibuster ended when the four senators settled for $14 million in stimulus cuts.

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