Several high-profile measures passed by the republican-controlled legislature last year are still being challenged in the courts as lawmakers begin their 2012 session Tuesday.

The targets include legislation on elections, public employee pensions, prison privatization, welfare drug testing, guns and teacher pay and tenure.

A lawyer involved in several of those cases said he's never seen as many new laws challenged in a single year. Ron Myer attributes it to overwhelming one-party rule. Besides a republican governor, the house and senate have big GOP majorities.

Republican Senate President, Mike Haridopolos said he isn't surprised the bills are being challenged, "but we felt it was the right policy direction."