Now that lawmakers have finally settled this one torturous, hot-button issue, we can move onto the rest of this year's session. I've designed this noteworthy bill guide in order to keep you aware of this year's most contested bills. Never again will you miss out on the drama of water project proportions. Let's get started:

It can be difficult to develop a willingness and interest to hear new ideas, but this Friday, participate in the Jumaa Prayer at the Union. Attending will give a richer and fuller understanding of another culture and the beliefs. We can do our part to break down false stereotypes by investing our time to understanding and relating better to our neighbors.

Don't want unsightly oil pumps giving you the bird through the Delicate Arch? Follow DeChristopher's lead and bid on the land. Don't fall prey to unfair laws, or those in power who break just laws without consequence. Don't allow yourself to think that anything you do will not change anything, and never count on someone else to fix what is broken.

Those who wish to embrace the wider world on its own terms would do well to realize that the age of American superiority is coming to a close and to engage others as equals means learning their languages.

Staying out of the road shouldn't be a novel concept, but it seems to be a constant struggle. Reversing the upward trend of auto-pedestian accidents is as easy as obeying traffic laws and crossing the street when and where you are supposed to.

The U charges 8 cents per side of a black-and-white page and 75 cents per side of a color page. Either from a lack of comparison or a lack of necessity, perhaps you've never realized just how high that is. The U's prices are put to shame when compared with various state-funded institutions.

Imagine a world, or a state, where the key focus of legislators was the establishment of laws that protect society and support programs that will create sustained economic growth, not pander to special interests. As citizens, we would hope and expect that our elected officials behave honorably, but with recent violations, that behavior needs to be outlined more clearly.

As consumers, we can have some affect on this trend both through feedback to the industry as well as our market decisions. If enough people let the manufacturers know that we do not think bigger is better, they will eventually listen.

Even the future state of the Rainy Day Fund has much to gain from investing in state programs now instead of waiting until they are underwater. The Legislature should adopt Huntsman's proposal to tap into a portion of the fund, ensuring budget cuts are rational and not abrupt.

For students who travel on 1300 East, imagine commuting to campus with fewer lanes, shorter lights and a reduction in the speed limit. These three "improvements" proposed by the Salt Lake City Council will make your commute even more difficult than it already is.