Members of the Nassau County Legislature were inaugurated Wednesday, and some are hoping the new year means a fresh start and perhaps some new items on the agenda.

The 19-member Legislature retains a 10-9 Democratic majority, but there will be a new presiding officer. Leg. Diane Yatauro (D) will take over for Leg. Judy Jacobs (D), who served in the position for eight years.

"We really want to have some more unity. That's really what I'm looking for, so that both sides communicate more,? Yatauro said.

Minority Leader Peter Schmitt said he is willing to give the new presiding officer time to meet him halfway. He says Republican proposals have not seen the light of day in the past few years.

Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson addressed the lawmakers at the inauguration and urged them to seek economic justice for all.

Lawmakers say the first item on the Legislature's agenda is hearings on the county executive's new budget.