( KTRS ) As the new year Missouri Lawmakers will try to tighten ethics laws in response to allegations that former lawmakers acted inappropriately toward interns.

Republican leaders of the state House and Senate say ethics is a priority in the session beginning Wednesday. Proposals set for this year, could set limits to political donations and lobbyist gifts to lawmakers, in the state of Missouri.

Also at issue is sexual harassment in the state capitol that led to former Democratic Sen. Paul LeVota resigning in 2015 and the resignation of former Republican House Speaker John Diehl that followed shortly, after he admitted to sending inappropriate text messages to an intern.