State senators head to the Capitol today under Democratic leadership for the first time in 12 years. Does that mean a new era for business in the Senate chamber?

Probably not.

Senate-veteran Dick Saslaw, now Senate majority leader and also chairman of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, has long been known as a business-friendly Democrat. In addition, Senate Democrats and moderate Republicans, who previously controlled the Senate, have voted similarly on many business issues.

When Virginia Business sat down with four state political observers for a political roundtable in November, the overwhelming consensus was that Democratic leadership would not change much in legislative outcome on business issues. The Finance Committee, another committee controlling legislation important to business, will also not change drastically under Democratic control. “We’re talking about business-friendly Democrats who are not going to dramatically move the Senate in a different direction than it was during the [former Senate Finance Chairman John] Chichester years,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington.

Still, there’s a lot at stake for business this year. Outcomes of legislation on immigration reform, work-force resources, health insurance, transportation and how to make up for a budget shortfall could be important to preserving Virginia’s business-friendly reputation.

In the House of Delegates, Republican Del. Terry G. Kilgore of Scott County takes over chairmanship of the House Commerce and Labor Committee from Del. Harvey B. Morgan, R-Gloucester. The Richmond Times-Dispatch calls Kilgore an ally of public utilities, telephone companies and payday lenders.