The Maryland General Assembly convened Wednesday for the start of its 90-day session amid calls for bipartisanship and pledges of cooperation as the current governor packed up his office and his successor prepared to take power.
Republican Gov.-elect Larry Hogan greeted senators and members of the House of Delegates in remarks to each chamber one week before he will succeed Gov. Martin O'Malley.
"People voted for us to work together," Hogan told the Senate. "Together we will change Maryland for the better."
Hogan's warm reception from lawmakers came after he and his defeated Democratic opponent in November's election, Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, came together to jointly greet lawmakers as they entered the State House for the noon session.
Brown said the idea of greeting legislators together came up when he and Hogan had lunch together about a month ago. The lieutenant governor said he and Hogan thought "it would be a great idea to demonstrate bipartisanship."