The Vermont Legislature has convened for its 2011 session on Wednesday morning.
The House re-elected Speaker Shap Smith and the Senate elected Sen. John Campbell of Windsor County as president pro tempore.
As the session gets under way with Democrats in control of the governor’s office, the Senate and House, there is no extra money to spend.
In fact, state budget analysts say a shortfall of state funds that earlier had been estimated at about $112 million now has ballooned to about $150 million.
But the opening morning was a day of celebration — and some bittersweet moments. In opening remarks, Smith paid tribute to Rep. Michael Obuchowski of Rockingham.
Obuchowski will step down in the next few days to join Gov.-elect Peter Shumlin’s administration as buildings commissioner.
Some initial work is expected to get done. Smith made committee appointments in the opening session.
And later in the day, the House and Senate gathered in joint session to hear the farewell message of retiring Gov. Jim Douglas after eight years in office.
We’ll have live coverage of Governor-elect Shumlin’s inauguration on Thursday starting at 1:30 p.m.