by the end of his first term, wilson allied with members of the state legislature that supported the continuation of recession-inspired cuts to welfare benefits. a bill imposing the continued reduction of benefits was passed by two committees of the republican-majority assembly. h. d. palmer maintained wilson's priorities rested in other issues and though admitting to an improving in revenues, disclosed that "the governor does not believe that the first call on those revenues should go to double-digit cost-of-living increases for welfare recipients."