New York state lawmakers are heading back to Albany this upcoming week as the 2025 legislative session is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Following an election year that saw Republicans make inroads on a national level, Democrats are going to be tasked with finding policies that both capitalize on their majority in both chambers without alienating voters. President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House will also play a factor in how this session shapes up.

News 12 spoke with both Republicans and Democrats in the Hudson Valley and on Long Island to get a sense of what we can expect over the next six months.

"New Yorkers are sick and tired of the Albany double talk," Republican Assembly Member Matt Slater said. "I'm sick and tired of the Albany double talk. They want real action and they deserve it."

"We need to continue focusing, first and foremost, on affordability for our families, especially in housing," Democratic state Sen. Monica Martinez said.

Here's what we're watching:

Late last year, the Rockefeller Institute of Government released a report on the formula New York has been using to fund its public schools. The review, which was funded and agreed upon by lawmakers during the 2024 session, found the state is using outdated data to determine how much money each district should receive.

Lawmakers are hyperfocused on coming up with a new system that not only fully funds each school but also ensures districts never lose money year-over-year regardless of enrollment numbers. Many lawmakers want to make sure whatever is passed doesn't pass too much of the economic burden onto New Yorkers who are already struggling to keep up with rising property taxes and the costs of living.

According to New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office, the state plans to spend $4.3 billion between State Fiscal Year 2022-23 through SFY 2025-26 for emergency spending related to people seeking asylum in the United States.

Immigration played a massive role in the 2024 general election that helped propel Trump back into the White House for a second term. Trump has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration and many state Republicans support these efforts. Some Democrats have admitted that the system needs a fix and pointed to federal partners to lead the way while others are focused on combatting whatever efforts Trump and his team advance.

The cost of living - including taxes, housing accessibility and inflation - have made it difficult for New Yorkers to stay in the state. Studies project New York could lose two congressional seats in 2030 following the next census, indicating a decent population decline.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has already proposed a plan that would send checks back out to New Yorkers after the state beat its projections in sales tax. It's still to be seen if legislators would approve that.

Lawmakers and the governor passed a truncated housing plan last session. It included some tenant and rent protections, but lawmakers know there's more to be done. Many expect another push to explore transit-oriented development without giving up local zoning control.

Expect to hear a lot about creative ways lawmakers hope to make the state more affordable.

Set to go into effect on Sunday, Jan. 5, Congestion Pricing is a first-in-the-nation push to use this sort of tolling to raise revenues.

Supporters argue it will raise much-needed money for public transit upgrades, reduce traffic in downtown Manhattan and limit pollutant emissions from cars. Opponents have hailed it as a cash grab to boost the MTA, which is in a desperate financial deficit.

Trump has indicated he would kill the plan once he's back in the White House. Hochul and some lawmakers have pledged to protect the policy. This is shaping up to be a massive clash between the state and federal governments.