The Utah Legislature opened its 2007 session Monday with calls for patience and deliberation and remarks commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

The real work of the 45-day session starts today when lawmakers dig into some of the 400-plus bills that have been filed so far.

At the center of this year's session is a projected $1.6 billion budget surplus generated by record state revenues. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has proposed increases in spending on education, transportation and health care, as well as a $100 million income tax cut.

Leaders in the state House of Representatives have also outlined their aims -- a $300 million tax cut, along with a $300 million boost in educations spending. Senators haven't yet set out specifics.

Other measures in the pipeline include restrictions on abortion, smoking and violent video games, and subjects as varied as methamphetamine ingredients, campaign finance and the regulation of private detectives.

Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, told his colleagues that they should strive to be "the great anchors of state policy."

"Take the long view," he said. "Make careful decisions based on the facts and the merits of the issue, not short-term political expediency."

Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo, quoted Abraham Lincoln's assertion that "shades of opinion may be sincerely entertained by honest and truthful men."

Lawmakers should keep that in mind during the session, he said.

"There's been a lot of speculation that this is going to be contentious.

"If you attribute to your political opponent that same passion, that same conviction, that same commitment to their values that they hold that you yourself hold to your own," Bramble said, "... it makes it quite easy to focus simply on the merits of that particular argument, and when that argument is done to put your arm around your opponent and go get something to drink.

"You know -- a root beer."

In the state House of Representatives, Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, told colleagues he felt like a survivor on a reality-based TV show after winning re-election by just 20 votes. He urged his 74 colleagues to work hard and compromise.

"And while you may have something to say on every bill, please don't," Curtis said.

The Legislature started its annual 45-day session on a day that was a holiday for much of the country in memory of King, the civil rights leader who was assassinated in 1968.

In remarks honoring King, Forrest Crawford told lawmakers to keep the lessons of the day close as the session continues.

"All of us have a special obligation to pause on this day to help our citizens have hope, have expectations -- in fact, have dreams," said Crawford, who is an administrator at Weber State College and a longtime civil rights advocate.

"We have largely gathered here symbolically," he said. "Our brief time here is for the most part ceremonial."

But, he added, "Utah citizens demand ... that we elevate our human dignity every time we convene.

"This commemoration is more than just a ceremonial visit to Capitol Hill. It is a tone-setting framework for the work ahead."

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.