On your mark, get set, go! The 2008 General Assembly opened today with a new majority in the Senate. For the first time in more than a decade, the Democrats are in control. What that means for business will unfold over the next 60-day session. But the Dems need to do some handholding with the Republican-dominated House if they want to move forward on issues.

Those significant to the business community include everything from a budget shortfall of $618 million to bills that would affect transportation, illegal immigration and health insurance reform. 

In terms of composition, the official count for this year’s House of Delegates is 53 Republicans, 44 Democrats and two independents. One unfilled seat will be decided in an election next month. The Democrats have a narrow lead in the Senate, with 21 seats compared to 19 Republican seats. Then there’s Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, intent on making his mark midway through his term.

We hope you will visit our new General Assembly blog regularly. And if you want to weigh in on an issue with a legislator, the Capitol is offering a toll free constituent viewpoint hotline at 1-800-889-0229.

Starting tomorrow, the line will be answered by operators from Jan. 9 thorough March 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will record the caller’s message and forward the information to the appropriate legislator. While operators can’t transfer calls, they can provide constituents with legislators’ phone number. Who says customer service is dead?