ST. PAUL  — Minnesota’s Legislature convened under full Republican control for the first time in 38 years on Tuesday, part of a historic change that gives the party control of the legislative agenda as it and a new Democratic governor face a $6.2 billion budget shortfall.

Votes without suspense confirmed the ascension of House Speaker Kurt Zellers and Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, who becomes the first woman to lead the state Senate. The two take over promising to focus on jobs and the economy in order to bring down a 7.1 percent unemployment rate.

“We have a daunting task ahead of us. This is going to be a difficult recovery,” said Zellers, R-Maple Grove.

Both chambers came to order shortly after noon under the supervision of two Democrats, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie in the House and Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon in the Senate, before they handed over the leadership.

Republicans take over the Senate for the first time since the early 1970s and will lead the House again after four years.