Senate Republicans outlined their priorities for this year's legislative session on Wednesday.
At a press conference, Republicans said they will address public safety, education, tax relief and the record budget surplus.
Republicans who hold the majority in the Senate, say reducing crime is paramount.
"We're at a point right now where violent crime is out of control in our state. You have senior citizens getting beat up and robbed. You have carjackings happening left and right, you have innocent people getting shot. Kids getting shot--- kids are getting shot," said Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller.
"Democrats are making planting trees a higher priority than more cops. We need solutions and any further efforts to defund, dismantle, demoralize or weaken police officers are absolute non starters," Miller said.
In addition to increasing funding for more police officers on the streets, Chair of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, Warren Limmer, says Republicans want stiffer penalties for car thieves.
"We plan on creating a new car jacking crime that focuses on those who would use force or intimidation in taking someone else's car," Limmer said.
"Auto- theft appears to be out of control in the metropolitan area. We will increase penalties for stealing a car, in the furtherance of committing an additional crime. (We) will strengthen penalties for criminals who flee police in a motor vehicle by providing an enhanced aggravated statute."
Senator Limmer also says Republicans will change state law so criminals serve their sentences consecutively instead of concurrently.
The next legislative session begins on Monday, January 31st.
