Legislative session kicks off

At noon today, the gavel fell in the House and Senate chambers, marking the start of the 86th Legislative Sesssion. Hovering over this year's session is the looming $4.8 billion budget deficit. But for today, the mood was decidedly optimistic, with lawmakers from both parties touting the importance of bipartisanship.

In her speech accepting the post of House Speaker, DFLer Margaret Anderson Kelliher referenced President Abraham Lincoln working with his formal rivals to help bring the nation together in a time of crisis.

"We don't get to choose the conditions under which we get to serve," she said. "But we can choose to build the public's trust and respect for each other to improve the times we serve in, and I know we can do that together."

Hayfield Republican Rep. Randy Demmer said he expects this session will have its fair share of wrangling and emotional debate. But he said he is confident in the end lawmakers will come up with a solution.

"At the end of the day, there will be a compromise," Demmer said.