The new year means some new faces in politics, both in Washington, D.C. and Albany.

A new Congress will kick off tomorrow and the House of Representatives will be controlled by the Democrats. Lawmakers only met briefly Monday amid the government shut down. The 115th Congress will formally adjourn Wednesday.

There will also be a changing of the guard in Albany as well as the State Senate will flips to Democratic control. Among the high-profile issues expected to be addressed in the coming months is legislation to legalize recreational marijuana.

Among the changes on Long Island, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan will give up his leadership post in the chamber. Flanagan will still serve the State Senate, just not as the leader. But, some fellow Republicans no longer heading to Albany for the New Year include Kemp Hannon, Elaine Phillips, and 23-year incumbent Carl Marcellino. They all lost their re-election bids in November.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo officially starts his third term today, with an inaugural address from Ellis Island. The location being symbolic as Ellis Island was once the largest and most active immigrant station in the nation. The governor is expected to touch on a number of issues, including U.S. immigration policy.