LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Many of Nebraska’s senior senators are expressing hope that the Legislature and Gov.-elect Pete Ricketts will collaborate next year on property taxes and an overhaul of two state agencies.

Lawmakers will convene on January with 17 new members who were elected to seats that came open due to term limits. Some senators say they anticipate more debate over property taxes. They’re also likely to debate reforms for Nebraska’s prison system and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Ricketts, a Republican, cruised to a victory Tuesday amid promises that he would seek to lower property taxes and draw more manufacturing jobs to the state.

Sen. Heath Mello of Omaha says he’s optimistic that lawmakers and Ricketts will find common ground even if they don’t agree on every issue.