NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Tuesday marks the start of the legislative session, and many lawmakers are hoping to pass bills focused on improving education and solving the housing crisis.   Story continues below National: WATCH LIVE: Trump to be sworn in as 47th president Weather: Coldest temperatures in years move into New Mexico Crime: APD: Man racks up charges after ramming police vehicle Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed their goals for the upcoming session. Despite an underwhelming special session last summer in which they failed to pass public safety laws, the two parties have said they're optimistic to come together on those issues. "This legislative session we will be about making life better and more affordable for you and your family," said Javier Martínez, Speaker of the House.  Some of the bills taking center stage in this session focus on education. Representative Debra Sariñana (D-Albuquerque) is sponsoring a bill that would create a teacher mobility compact making it easier for teachers to cross state lines and earn their licenses. She is also co-sponsoring a bill that would give districts the option to replace school buses with electric or an eco-friendly bus. Lawmakers are also hoping to tackle the housing crisis. “We are in a desperate crisis for housing," said Rep. Kathleen Cates (D-Bernalillo & Sandoval Counties).  Rep. Cates has pre-filed a bill that would require landlords to calculate prospective tenants' rent-to-income ratios only after subsidies like child support are accounted for. "If they require a couple of months of bank statements in their verification period and you can show that you've been receiving child support for the last two months of your bank statements, they must consider it as part of your income,” said Cates.  Meanwhile, Democrat Senator Harold Pope (D-Albuquerque) has pre-filed a bill that would ban hedge funds and other firms from buying homes as investment properties. Lawmakers from both sides are optimistic they can come together to solve the most pressing issues.   "I think that all of us realize that these are issues that we need to deal with and we're ready to work with whoever is willing to jump on board with us, look at the solutions that we've put forward for the past few years and get this over the finish line over to the governor's office," said Rep. Alan Martinez, House Minority Whip (R-Rio Rancho).  "I'm hopeful and I fully expect that compromise can be reached not only on this issue but on a host variety of other issues," said Rep. Martinez.  Meanwhile, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's budget recommendation also has money for housing. That budget includes $50 million for a new down payment assistance program to build affordable homes for first-time buyers.