MONTPELIER, Vt. -
With that the 2013 Vermont legislative session kicked-off Wednesday in Montpelier and each lawmaker brought with them an idea as to what they want this year to be about.
"Progress," said State Rep. Shap Smith.
"Respect and civility," said Lt. Governor Phil Scott.
"Opportunity," said State Sen. John Campbell.
The session started with both House Speaker Shap Smith and Senate Pro-Tem John Campbell unanimously voted to their jobs.
"If so, all those in favor signify by saying, aye. Aye," said legislators.
But the building wasn't just filled with lawmakers.
From the cafeteria, to the hallway, to people crammed into rooms a lot of advocates made their way to Montpelier Wednesday too.
"I think that day 1 is phenomenal," said Donna Colletti-Lowre.
Lobbying for things like healthcare, migrant licenses and gun control.
It's something that politicians noticed.
"The first day of the session there are a lot of people here," said Smith.
"I think the reason for that is because a lot of people know how tight the dollars are going to be this year," said Campbell.
Although they were loud and showed up in large numbers, lawmakers had a message for them as they begin to tackle the new legislative cycle.
"There are limits as to what the state can do," said State Sen. Richard Sears.
"The last couple of years it would have been, yeah we know that we can deal with that because we have some one time fund that we could use. Right now we're getting to the point where there's not a lot to go, pots to try and grab from," said Campbell.
The session will run through at least the beginning of May.
Now that lawmakers are ready to go, Governor Peter Shumlin will lay out his agenda Thursday.
