Utah lawmakers opened their 2010 session Monday with a pat on the back for guiding the "best-managed" state and a challenge to keep it up by closing a nearly $1 billion budget gap.

Some of them also promised a session full of messages to the federal government, including bills that may run afoul of established law in asserting states' rights.

Senate President Michael Waddoups welcomed the Senate's 29 members with a keychain in the shape of the numeral one. It was a reflection of the state's status as best managed, as judged by Governing Magazine, in a time of national economic strife and budget crises.

"I think we're No. 1," Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, said.

His remarks mirrored those of House Speaker Dave Clark, R-Santa Clara, who opened his chamber's session by noting Utah's relatively strong employment picture when compared to surrounding states.

Nonetheless, Waddoups said, this session will challenge lawmakers to think hard about which programs are essential to state government -- and at what level of funding. They'll also need to think about whether any taxes need increases or decreases, he added.

Among message bills that would face likely constitutional challenges are one by Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, calling for the killing of wolves in Utah even where protected by the federal Endangered Species Act, and one by Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, exempting Utah gunmakers from federal regulation of any weapons they sell within the state. Other measures could present a state position in opposition to federal policies governing land management or health care, among others.

The Patrick Henry Caucus, a group advocating states' rights, held a news conference Monday to call for unity with other states that are battling what they see as an increasingly intrusive federal government.

"This will be a session where citizens and the state government will unite together to push back against this leviathon called the federal government," said Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, the caucus founder.

Other issues Waddoups predicted would be central on this year's agenda: ethics, education funding, green energy, the state retirement system and transportation.

Waddoups swore in Stevenson during the opening floor session. He replaces former Senate Majority Leader Sheldon Killpack, who resigned this month after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence.

In the House, Clark said while 2009 will be singled out as Utah's worst year of job loss since World War II, the Beehive State actually is more secure than states around it.

"If other parts of the country are encountering a financial hurricane, Utah, by contrast, is experiencing only a heavy downpour," Clark told his colleagues on Capitol Hill. "Needless to say, even this downpour has significant consequences for all of us."