SALT LAKE CITY -- Thousands of state workers would lose their jobs and nearly every program in state government would see a reduction in funding under budget cut proposals lawmakers reviewed Monday.

The state Legislatures is working to adopt a budget that is about $1 billion less than the one it passed last year. Gov. Jon Huntsman is recommending budget cuts of up to 7 percent for all state agencies, but legislative leaders want cuts that are more than double that.

Both Huntsman and the Legislature seek a balanced budget, but the governor is counting on a federal stimulus package, wants to bond for road construction and is calling for an increase in the vehicle registration fee to make ends meet.

Legislative leaders say they don't want to consider those options until they've made as many cuts as possible and get updated revenue forecasts when they're in session in February.

On Monday, lawmakers got their first look at what budget cuts of up to 15 percent would look like.

Those cuts include shedding nearly 2,800 jobs, closing courthouses and reducing enforcement of health regulations in day care facilities, restaurants and swimming pools.

The state hospital would close its doors to 30 of its 182 mental patients, 1,400 drug offenders would no longer receive treatment and services for families with autistic children would be eliminated.

Some state parks would close two days a week, there would be less money to attract movie productions to the state and more than 8,000 senior citizens who can't provide for themselves would no longer have meals prepared for them.

"It's not fun. It's not easy. But it's a process that needs to happen," said House budget Chairman Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley City.

More than half the layoffs -- 1,521 -- would come from higher education, resulting in fewer course offerings, larger classes and students taking longer to graduate from the state's public colleges and universities, according to an analysis from the office of the legislative fiscal analyst.

Public school students in kindergarten through 12th grade would also be affected. Utah already has the nation's largest class sizes and spends less per student than any other state.

That gulf would continue to grow under the budget proposals lawmakers asked legislative staff to prepare.

Legislative analysts said that about 371 teaching positions would be eliminated throughout the state as a result of across-the-board cuts to certain programs, resulting in larger class sizes.

Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind would no longer be able to provide housing for 18 students, its athletics program would be eliminated and an extended school program that is federally required for students would be reduced, possibly resulting in larger classes and lower student achievement, according to the legislative analysis.

Legislative leaders said a tax increase to make up the shortfall is highly unlikely and they don't have any regrets about cutting taxes in recent years. "The tax increases necessary to cover the shortfall are dramatic," said Senate budget Chairman Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan.

"You're not talking about a soda pop tax. ... When you look at the economy, talking about tax increases gives everybody a chill."

Lawmakers will meet again Jan. 21 to begin making any changes they want to the list of staff-recommended budget cuts.

Once the Legislature convenes for its annual session Jan. 26, they'll have 10 days to adopt what is called a base budget, which will likely incorporate the 15 percent cuts.

The base budget is adopted early in the session to keep state government running in case the Legislature and the governor can't come to a budget deal by the end of the 45-day session.

Once the February revenue estimates are released, lawmakers will either add funding to -- or take funding away from -- the base budget.

On the Net: Utah Legislature www.le.utah.gov