LITTLE ROCK, Ark (KTHV) -- Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe put out his legislative agenda for this year's session to lawmakers in his State of the State address Tuesday.
A celebration of sorts Tuesday afternoon at the state capitol as Governor Mike Beebe formally took his oath of office followed by his 'state of the state address.'
Back on the house floor Governor Beebe addressed anxious lawmakers eager to put their stamp on Arkansas.
While other issues remain present in the state, the governor's focus remains in education.
"We come from consistently settling in the bottom few states in education all the way to ten in the state for K-12 education," says Beebe.
A thought shared by many, including former state senator Shane Broadway, who is now with the state Department of Higher Education.
"We've got to focus on not only getting people into college, but also graduating them from college if we want to produce and retain the type of jobs we want in this state," says Broadway.
Some however question, just how influential a democratic governor can be, in a legislature that has seen unprecedented party shifts in favor of the GOP.
"This is a governor who knows how to be bipartisan and knows how to work with both sides and I think he will see a successful session," says political analyst Rex Nelson.
Senator Mark Pryor was in attendence as well Tuesday. "What Gov. Beebe is trying to do now is make some hard decisions now, that will keep Arkansas in very sound financial footing," says Pryor.
So for the following months, the governor and others hope to set partisan views aside, working toward keeping Arkansas' educational, and in turn, it's economic future on track.
The House and the Senate convened on Monday for the 88th General Assembly.
You can watch everything that happens in the House of Representatives on their live stream from the Capitol.
You can also keep up with everything in the Arkansas Senate with their website.
Also, on the 88th General Assembly website, you can keep track of all the bills filed and proposed and find a list of all your Arkansas legislators.