Topeka ? Rep. Ray Merrick, of Stilwell, was re-elected Monday to another term as speaker of the Kansas House, saying his plan for solving the state’s budget crisis will be to cut spending and not consider revisiting any of the recent tax cuts.

“As things progress we’ll see what happens, but I still think we spend too much,” Merrick told reporters after his election.

Members of the newly elected House gathered at the Statehouse Monday for an organizational meeting to choose new leaders of the Republican and Democratic caucuses. Merrick will officially be elected by the House as a whole when lawmakers convene in January for the start of the 2015 session.

Republicans gained five seats in the November elections and now hold a 97-28 advantage over Democrats in the House.

Merrick, a conservative Republican and close ally to Gov. Sam Brownback, easily won re-election over his only challenger, Rep. Virgil Peck, R-Tyro, who is considered even more conservative than Merrick. The vote was 80-16, with one abstention.

Merrick was a strong supporter of the sweeping tax cuts enacted in 2012 and 2013. Although Brownback and some Republican leaders in the Senate have suggested they may be willing to revisit some of those tax cuts next year, possibly delaying those that are scheduled to be phased in over the next few years, Merrick said he is still not convinced that will be necessary.

“Surely in a government this size, there are efficiencies that can still be had,” he said.

Republicans also re-elected two other top leaders in their caucus: Rep. Jene Vickrey, of Louisburg, as majority leader; and Rep. Peggy Mast, of Emporia, as speaker pro tem.

Meanwhile, Democrats named two Wyandotte County representatives for the top leadership posts in their caucus: Rep. Tom Burroughs as minority leader and Rep. Louis Ruiz as assistant minority leader.

Burroughs takes over from Rep. Paul Davis, of Lawrence, who stepped down this year in an unsuccessful campaign for governor. He won that post, 17-11, over Rep. Jim Ward, of Wichita.

Ward ran saying he would be more aggressive in challenging Republican policies. But Burroughs said he thinks he can work with the House GOP leadership.

“I came in with Representative Mast, and I’ve known Jene and Ray for years,” he said. “I anticipate an ongoing working relationship. They’re leaders, and we know we have a responsibility to our individual caucuses, but we also know we have a responsibility to all of Kansas. Good policy knows no partisan politics, and we stand ready to find that common ground.”

Democrats also re-elected Rep. Barbara Ballard, of Lawrence, as the caucus chairwoman, and named Rep. John Wilson, of Lawrence, as the policy chairman.

Other leadership posts chosen Monday include:

Republicans:

• Rep. Mario Goico, Wichita, assistant majority leader.

• Rep. Ron Ryckman Jr., Olathe, majority whip.

• Rep. Travis Couture-Lovelady, Palco, caucus chairman.

Democrats:

• Rep. Ed Trimmer, Winfield, minority whip.

• Rep. Brandon Whipple, Wichita, agenda chair.