School is back in session for Vermont lawmakers. Senators and representatives bundled up and made their way to Montpelier this gloomy Wednesday morning to kick off the 2024 legislative season.
![Several coats hang side by side on a pole.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/2f53c7c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fea%2Fa9%2F825834a348419758e5d406ae3152%2Fstatehouse-first-day-coat-room-stephens-20240103.jpg)
Several hundred people — including lawmakers, kids and spectators — gathered in the House and Senate rooms to observe the first day back in session.
![About 30 people sit on a balcony behind a white bannister.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c0537e4/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fac%2Ff6%2F3af7092b4f44a412a05e11498de0%2Fstatehouse-first-day-house-observers-gallery-stephens-20240103.jpg)
Lawmakers pulled out their finest fits for the first day back.
![A silver, bedazzled cup sits on a State House of Representative's desk.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/070da63/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5871x3914+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fcb%2F5b%2F0d8de14544e1809fccf60a222d01%2Fstatehouse-first-day-cup-stephens-20240103.jpg)
They greeted each other with hugs, "nice to see you," welcomes and even a fist bump or two:
![Two people fist bump.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/295b40d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F10%2Fe3%2F4372d691424fbb7b46012d69320f%2Fstatehouse-first-day-senate-fist-bump-stephens-20240103.jpg)
There was plenty of paper work being passed out...
![A hand holding a stack of papers. Glasses, a computer and more papers sit on a desk behind.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/1a91fdd/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fec%2Ff7%2Fb5fc2c4e4e90b8a086a5430ac051%2Fstatehouse-first-day-house-papers-stephens-20240103.jpg)
... and then disposed of.
![White papers strewn in a black bin.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/c3b9939/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5720x3886+0+0/resize/880x598!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F82%2F19%2F231bb9114d24801eb3eeae7fe374%2Fstatehouse-first-day-recycling-bin-stephens-20240103.jpg)
Meanwhile outside the building, about 100 Vermonters gathered on the Statehouse lawn at noon to rally for more flood assistance.
![A man in a black hat and coat stands outside in a group holding a sign that says "Barre cares"](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7869891/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F91%2Fc5%2F61101a534026871e51e3b73d6570%2Fstatehouse-first-day-rally-stephens-20240103.jpg)
We'll keep up with the legislators all session. Follow along with us here.
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