State Sen. Steve Urquhart says he has pledges from nearly half of the Senate that they will oppose any tax increases in the upcoming legislative session, potentially smothering efforts by groups to raise taxes in order to avoid deep budget cuts.

"I'm looking for a block of 15 senators who don't want to find answers to the state's problems in citizens' wallets," Urquhart said.

The St. George Republican says right now he has commitments from 13 senators, plus himself -- one shy of the critical mass that would be needed in the 29-member body. He plans to seek written confirmation of the verbal pledges in the coming days.

The anti-tax effort has the effect of backing the stance taken by Gov. Gary Herbert, who will release his blueprint for plugging a budget shortfall of up to $875 million and has vowed to do it without raising taxes.

It also throws cold water on the efforts of an array of tax proposals, including one that would raise the tobacco tax and another to restore a portion of the state sales tax on food that was removed several years ago. Proponents argue those taxes would curb smoking and broaden the state's tax base.

If those arguments are legitimate, Urquhart says, taxes should be cut elsewhere to offset the new revenue, but the senator is skeptical.

"I don't believe a lot of those reasons. I think what it is is people trying to grab additional revenue," Urquhart said.

Last month, the House Conservative Caucus and the more recently formed Patrick Henry Caucus, which includes the most conservative members of the body, met and took a joint position to not support any net tax increases, said Rep. Craig Frank, R-Cedar Hills, co-chairman of the conservative group.

But he said that doesn't mean that half the House supports the viewpoint.

"I think there's a general feeling among the conservative caucus to hold things static this year when it comes to tax increases," he said.

That marks something of a shift from years past, when the more conservative House members led out on anti-tax measures and reflects, in some respects, a shift to the right by the traditionally more moderate Senate.

Senate President Mike Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, got a call from Urquhart seeking his support, but said he didn't take the pledge because "it's premature."

"We don't know what the budget requests are going to be. I don't know what the demands for public services might be that are valid," and he hasn't seen the budget proposal from the governor, he said. "I'm not going to make that decision in a vacuum."

Senate Republicans plan to meet privately Dec. 15 to take positions on big issues heading into the session, including potential tax changes.

Senate Minority Leader Pat Jones, D-Holladay, agrees, saying the anti-tax pledge locks in serious policy decisions before hearing from the public.

"I'm not saying I would vote in favor or against [tax increases]. I'm just saying we need to do our due diligence and listen to the public input. ... It's their money and we owe it to the citizens to have public input on what these cuts would mean to them," she said. "To say we're going to go ahead and have the solution before we even get the public's input, I think, is very premature and even irresponsible."

But Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, president of the business-backed Utah Taxpayers Association, said he was glad Urquhart was trying to solidify tax opposition among the Republican senators and he was happy to take a no-new-tax pledge.

"I don't think a recession is the time to raise taxes. It's the time to cut government spending, the same way the private sector is having to hunker down," Stephenson said.

Stephenson's taxpayer group has endorsed raising the sales tax on food and cutting general income tax to offset the hike.

Groups such as the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce have also urged lawmakers to look at increasing taxes to stave off potentially harmful cuts to public and higher education. The chamber has endorsed a package that includes a gas tax increase and tobacco and food tax hikes.

"We would be thrilled if the budget could be balanced without a tax increase, with the caveat that we want to hold public and higher education harmless," said Marty Carpenter, a spokesman for the chamber. "Our plan is just a framework to do that ... but we know the ultimate decision lies with the Legislature and the business community just laid out something we think will get us there."

gehrke@sltrib.com