He cautioned members, old and new, to be open to compromise. "In the immortal words of the poet Mick Jagger (of the Rolling Stones), "you can't always get what you want." Curtis urged lawmakers "to please expect opposition, and if you don't get any, then you're probably not working hard enough."

In recent years there have been a few legislators who often spoke on bills from the floor — taking up time and not always providing much insight.

"While you may have something to say on every bill, please don't," Curtis pleaded.

Elder David A. Bednar, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Quorum of the Twelve, in his opening prayer asked that lawmakers remember that they are all brothers and sisters in humanity, adding that they should use "judgment and wisdom" and cooperate with each other while preserving their own principles.

After Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, was sworn in Monday morning by Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham as the leader of the upper body, he told senators they should serve as anchors for the state and for each other.

Valentine said members of the Senate should "take the long view. To make careful decisions based on the facts and merits of an issue, not short-term political expediency." He said the public, too, must "pay attention and hold your elected representatives accountable for how they represent you."

The Senate opened with a prayer by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, also a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve. Holland gave "thanks for the rich and wonderful blessings we enjoy and for the many precious freedoms that are ours" regardless of religious creeds, race or background. He asked that "principle always rise above party."

The political battles this session will revolve around taxes and fees — how much to cut, which ones to raise.

Monday saw the formal introduction of a bill that would raise the standard "Class D" driver's license fee by $5, from $20 to $25. Specialty driver's licenses would also go up, depending on the type of license, from $2 to $10. Yet to come is a bill that would reduce the per-gallon gas tax a bit and then impose a 6.5 percent sales tax on the purchase of motor fuel, a move that eventually would lead to higher gasoline taxes.

Rep. Bradley Daw, R-Orem, said the state Driver's License Division needs the extra $5.7 million the higher fee schedule would bring in fiscal 2008 "to keep up with the demand" on the division's work.

The standard driver's license fee has not been increased in eight years, he said, with some specialty fees, like a motorcycle license, not being raised in 18 years.