Massachusetts Lawmakers Kickoff New 2-Year Session

The Democratic-controlled state Legislature is beginning a new two-year session, one day before a new Republican governor, Charlie Baker, takes office on Beacon Hill.

Outgoing Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick, in one of his final official acts, will swear-in the 160 members of the House and 40 members of the Senate on Wednesday.

Senate Majority Leader Stanley Rosenberg, an Amherst Democrat, is expected to win the nod to succeed Therese Murray as Senate president.

Murray is retiring after being the first woman to serve as Senate President.

Speaker Robert DeLeo is expected to remain in the top post in the House. The Winthrop Democrat has been speaker since 2009 and under House rules would be entering his final full term in the job.