Nebraska lawmakers have returned to the Capitol, opening the new legislative session by re-electing Senator Jim Scheer of Norfolk as Speaker and electing 14 committee chairs.

Scheer told fellow legislators he will treat each one equally

Scheer says he will represent the body with honor

The new legislature features 13 freshmen with 13 others who won re-election in November.

Much of the talk at the beginning of the session has focused on a state budget suffering from declining state revenue as well as efforts to reduce the property tax burden.