Newsmakers.

1 | NEBRASKA

"We have to work together. The conservative and rural members need to work with the urban senators and the progressives to really get something done."

Nebraska Senator Patty Pansing Brooks, (NP) on balancing the pressure farmers face with the needs of her urban district, from The Associated Press.

2 | KANSAS

"I feel like I am rearranging chairs on the deck of the Titanic."

Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle (R) on the political peril that awaits lawmakers dealing with next year's cash-strapped budget, in the Kansas City Star.

3 | PENNSYLVANIA

"Pennsylvanians have spoken. They recognize the once ugly stigma of cannabis is now just a part of history."

Representative Jake Wheatley Jr. (D), who plans to introduce legislation this year that would fully legalize marijuana, from MarijuanaMoment.net.

4 | OHIO

"There's too much testosterone around the table. We're bringing a different perspective''

Ohio Representative Jessica Miranda (R), one of 28 women who won seats in the House, which is now 28 percent female, from Cincinnati.com.

There are 36 new presiding officers across 27 states and two territories this year due to retirements, term limits and chambers flipping after the midterm elections.

5 | ILLINOIS

Illinois Senator and NCSL President Toi Hutchinson (D) was named a "Public Official of the Year" by Governing magazine. Hutchinson, Colorado Representative Faith Winter (D) and Indiana Representative Karen Engleman (R) were recognized for exposing sexual harassment in legislatures. Hutchinson says harassment is a "deep-seated cultural thing" that can't be legislated away. At least now, she says, "We're all starting to talk to each other in ways we didn't before."

6 | NEW YORK

Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D) will be the first woman and first African-American to serve as majority leader in the New York Assembly. "As both the first woman & minority to hold this position in NYS's long history," she tweeted, "I will continue to put...