ST. PAUL (AP) - Minnesota lawmakers have returned to St. Paul for the 2012 legislative session.

The state House and Senate both convened at noon Tuesday.

The legislative session is expected to run into sometime in April.

Lawmakers will debate Gov. Mark Dayton's proposal to boost job creation with a $775 million bonding bill.

A number of Republican-backed constitutional amendment proposals will also be considered. They include a plan to require a photo identification in order to vote, along with the need for a legislative super majority to raise taxes.

The Minnesota Vikings' push for a public subsidy to build a new football stadium is also likely to draw the attention of lawmakers. (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) 

AUDIO: State Rep. Joe Schomacker, R-Luverne, says there is reason for cautious optimism at the start of the session.



MORE: State Rep. Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, comments on the House DFL focus.



EVEN MORE: State Sen. Doug Magnus, R-Slayton, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, previews the agriculture agenda in the 2012 Minnesota Legislature.