BOSTON (WWLP) - The 194th General Court kicked off on Wednesday, with the swearing-in of new and returning legislators and the announcement of this session's priorities. New Governor’s Council sworn in Quincy Democrat Ron Mariano was unanimously reelected as speaker of the house. He said his priorities are to repair the public image of the legislature and brace for losing federal funding due to the incoming Trump administration. "It will once again be our responsibility to step up when we can in the face of federal management changes and decreased federal support. It will be imperative that we rise above the infighting and partisan politics that continue to plague Congress," said Mariano. Ashland Democrat Karen Spilka was reelected as Senate President, and she says her priorities include reexamining how the state funds education and reforming primary health care. Spilka joined Mariano in calling for unity and increased transparency. "It is a critical time for us to prove to people that the government is working for them. And that we really are working together as a team," said Spilka. Both House and Senate leadership expressed interest in rule reform that would allow the lawmakers to continue to pass controversial bills after the end of the formal session in July 2026. Minority leadership in the House and the Senate both said they are willing and excited to work on rule changes with their Democrat counterparts. Local News Headlines Greenfield City Hall closed for maintenance till Monday Five Worcester students charged after mob beats up falsely accused child predator Holiday gift returns are expected to surge in January Antisemitic hate crimes reach eight-year high across Massachusetts WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.