Washington ? With election victories behind them, Democratic governors gathered Wednesday to celebrate their first majority in 12 years, talk political strategy and share notes on the issues driving voters back at home.

Governor after governor at their winter meeting turned to the backbone of modern Democratic politics – education, health care and jobs, with many also promising a concerted effort to tackle energy policy.

“Do things about things that are important in people’s lives,” Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell urged his fellow governors, suggesting work on heating oil prices, expanded kindergarten programs and high college costs.

Democrats emerged from Election Day with a 28-22 majority, reversing the current GOP majority and taking six seats from GOP control. Republicans had held a majority since the 1994 elections.

Governors don’t enact national policy, but their role gives them a chance to experiment individually with ideas in a way that often eludes a gridlocked Congress. They can also help build party strength at the grass roots, encourage future leaders and turn out votes for a White House race.

Democrats have an opportunity to prove themselves and build on the successes of the past few years, said Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who officially became the new chairwoman of the Democratic Governors Association at the meeting.

Governors can’t just argue indefinitely – they must find a pragmatic middle ground to solve problems, she said.

“There are wonderful lessons to be learned,” said Sebelius, who has been steeped for the past four years in bipartisan politics because of a legislature that is controlled by Republicans. “Saying to the American people that this is what Democrats do when they’re in charge is the way to stay in charge.”

While the new Democratic majorities in Congress are getting a lot of attention, political analysts are closely watching the Democratic majority among governors.

“Most Democrats have to figure out the solution to the problem that they cannot become tax and spend Democrats,” said Charles Franklin, a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin. “And yet still accomplish broadly progressive policies, whether that’s education, welfare, environmental protection – all of those things on the Democratic agenda.”