Word that the newspaper was calling task force members about church lobbying is apparently altering meeting plans. Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland, who was to meet Wednesday with Evans in the church offices, said he received a call at 8 a.m. postponing the meeting indefinitely.

"I would prefer (church officials) testify in an open public meeting," Dougall said, noting that a private meeting also scheduled Wednesday at the Capitol with several House members and church leaders was canceled last week. Dougall said he was told that LDS Church lobbyists prefer to talk with legislators individually, not as a group. Evans then scheduled but then later canceled a private meeting with just Dougall.

Another legislator, who asked that his name not be used, said, "It seems (church lobbyists) want to pick off those who favor a flat rate tax one by one."

Bramble and Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, who have spoken individually with Evans and other LDS Church lobbyists about the charitable deduction, both said at no time did discussions carry any religious implications.

It was clear "that this (deduction) was not a point of ecclesiastic loyalty," said Bramble, who has served in several appointed church lay leadership positions over the years.

"There was no talk of anything like that (religious overtones) — not even a veiled threat," Valentine said.

Dougall and Hughes both said their support for a true flat rate income tax has not waned. Various studies have shown that a low-rate, flat rate tax — adjusted not to harm poor citizens — would save many Utahns on their taxes, both those who regularly contribute to charities and churches and those who don't, Hughes said. In addition, at least one study has shown contributions to charities did not suffer in a state that did away with charitable deductions.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said he still favors a "flatter" income tax, one that doesn't keep the traditional deductions, like charitable giving and home mortgages. Huntsman said that in September he'll start traveling the state, listening to what Utahns have to say on tax reform while selling the idea that now is the time to grab real tax reform in the state. Huntsman, whose late grandfather, Elder David B. Haight, was a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve, has also met with church leaders about the flat rate income tax. The governor's office has declined to give details.

Hughes said if church leaders made it clear that keeping the charitable deduction was a matter of religious imperative, similar to opposition to abortion, "I would sustain them. I'd vote to keep the deduction. But I would be up front about that with my constituents and I'd say exactly why I was voting — that it was a matter of my faith."