House Minority Leader John Rusche, D-Lewiston, said, “We are going to have to face some real monumental issues.” He said the minority party has been out talking with voters, and is bringing back some messages. “They want a Legislature and government that’s open, honest, and focused on the constituents’ needs, on their families and their future opportunities,” he said.

Addressing reporters at today's AP Legislative Preview, Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, said, “I think what we need to do here … is to keep in mind that the voters have spoken, and to try to do the best we can to honor the message that they’re sending to us. .. It’s obvious that we need to have evidence-based recommendations for education,” and for teachers and parents and education professionals to be involved in that, she said. “They don’t want us politicians necessarily in the center of all that, and we have to hear that.”