State lawmakers formally opened the new legislative session, with a new 2/3 supermajority of Democrats in both houses, and high hopes from many advocates who hope Democrats will take on big issues like restoring past cuts in health and welfare cuts. Lawmakers introduced the first bills of the new session, as they face the prospects of a democratic supermajority that can by-pass opposition from Republicans or the Governor, along with an improving budget bringing the possibility of surpluses in coming years. Christopher Martinez files this report from Sacramento.