MADISON -- Democrats have the power in Madison, controlling the State Senate, the State Assembly and the Governor's Office. But they face tough problems.

With a few knocks of the gavel, business is underway in Madison. Both the Senate and Assembly officially start the session with a looming budget deficit that is by far the biggest problem. It could be more than five billion dollars over the next few years.

"Obviously we're going to be working on a bipartisan basis on everything but in the final analysis it's up to the Democrats to prove they've got the ability to straighten things out and I think we do," said Senate President Democrat Fred Risser.

But Senate Republicans say they're already being shut out of the process now that Democrats have so much control in the Capitol.

"There is a new role for the Democrats to play in crafting this budget in that they have a free hand to put into it whatever they want," said Senator Scott Fitzgerald, Senate Republican Leader. "I have not been invited to the table by the Governor or the Majority Leader in the Senate. They don't want my ideas, they haven't asked for my ideas."

Another big issue that will come up is drunk driving. There's a lot of public support for tougher penalties on repeat drunk drivers but a mix of possible solutions. Expect there to be some disagreement on this issue but not as much partisan fighting.

"I think what you're going to see is a lot of momentum for something to be done for that issue to be addressed," Fitzgerald said.

This balance of power is rare. It was 1986 the last time the Democrats had this much control.