Democrat leaders are planning seperate meetings Jan. 8 with Gov. Janet Napolitano and her soon-to-be replacement Jan Brewer.

They are scheduled to meet with the Democratic governor in the morning and then with Brewer, the Republican secretary of state, in the afternoon, the Arizona Capitol Times has learned.  

Senate minority leader Jorge Garcia said he does not know the agenda for their visit with Napolitano. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, the assistant minority leader in the House, said she thinks it will be an opportunity for Napolitano to give Democrats some "parting words of wisdom" and some advice going into what is expected to be rough budget years.  

Sen. Rebecca Rios, the assistant minority leader, said she thinks her colleagues will have more questions for Brewer than Napolitano.

"To what extent does she intend to be inclusive and work with Democrats?" Rios said. "We recognize there is going to be a change in leadership, and I'm eager to find out her intentions."

Sinema said she is particularly interested in discussing two items with Jan Brewer: K-12 education and Science Foundation Arizona.

"I want to find out how she feels about those things and what her priorities are around those issues," Sinema said.

The budget is going to be the primary issue, though, and Sinema reiterated House Democrats are willing to work with Republicans to solve the deficit.

"I think the Democrats will ultimately play a significant role in the budget over the next two years. When the Republican majority decides that they need Democrats is another question," she said.

Democrats saw their caucuses shrink in the state House and the Senate after the November election. But their biggest loss will be Napolitano, who is set to join Barack Obama's administration as secretary of Homeland Security.