Sen. Joe Simitian: "Members - if the Senate will please come to order…"

State lawmakers expect a busy 2012 leading up to the November election.  Democratic Assemblyman Mike Feuer:

Feuer: "We need to be focusing on assuring that we balance our budget effectively and create as many jobs as we possibly can in a state which suffers from an unemployment rate that is much too high."

But besides those two issues, Feuer says several others could pop up this year as well - such as overhauling the state's pension system and deciding whether to move forward with California's high-speed rail project.  Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway says for her constituents …

Conway: "Regulation is a huge issue.  And then water, of course - the water conversation will be probably at the top of everyone's list."

Specifically, whether to revamp the $11 billion water bond on the November ballot.