Overall, the taxpayers association plan would give a tax break to all low-income Utahns and give tax cuts to most middle-income Utahns as well. Middle- to upper-income families carrying large mortgages, and with a number of dependent children, would see tax increases, Jerman said.

For example, a family of five making $275,000 a year would see a state tax hike of $2,243. Because all state income taxes go to public education, some argue such well-to-do, large families should be able to contribute more toward their children's schooling.

By including the food tax credit — which would come to many poorer Utahns who today pay no state income tax — the taxpayers association's plan would cost the state between $25 million and $50 million a year in lost revenue, Jerman said.

As reported previously in the Deseret Morning News, lobbyists for the LDS Church have been meeting with selected members of the task force, reiterating the church's opposition to any tax change that would junk the current deduction for charitable giving.

Several committee members thanked the church Thursday for sending a representative to address the group in public.

Jonathan K. Butler, a partner in the law firm of Parsons Behle & Latimer, read a statement that he said was approved "by church leadership" that expanded on previous church statements opposing cutting the deduction. Butler said the church could support a modified flat-rate income tax, as long as that system kept the charitable deduction.

After Butler read his statement, Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland, a flat tax supporter, asked if the church statement "was moral" in nature. In other words, was it a matter of doctrine and faith for church leaders, "or just a public policy statement?" Dougall asked. More than 80 percent of legislators are members of the LDS Church.

"That's a good question. I don't know," Butler said.

Several task force members, who are also church members, had told the Morning News that they were confused after meetings with church lobbyists: Were they being asked to support the charitable deduction as a matter of church doctrine?

LDS Church spokesman Dale Bills said Thursday evening: "Church statements on public policy issues reflect the united voice of church leaders. While such statements often reflect church teachings and practices, positions on matters of public policy do not rise to the level of doctrinal declarations."

LDS Church leaders were joined Thursday by other groups opposing removing the charitable deduction, including the United Way, an association of nonprofit foundations and charities, and the Utah Symphony and Opera.