Governor Sam Brownback is considering a tax increase that was passed by both the Kansas House and Senate. Lawmakers approved the plan to help balance the state budget without cuts to state services like education. The bill faces an uncertain future and a possible veto from the governor.
The tax increase would roll back much of the 2012 tax cut, which is a signature Brownback policy. He was swinging against the tax increase before it was even fully approved.
“I am opposed to broad-based rate increases on income taxes. I won’t sign that,” said Brownback last week. “It’s going against the trend of everywhere in the country, if not in the world.”
The governor has only said he would not sign the bill into law, He didn’t specifically say he would veto it.
Once the bill is on his desk, he has 10 days to make a decision on the bill. If he does nothing, it will become law without his signature. If he chooses to veto the plan, lawmakers could override that with a two-thirds majority, but it would be very difficult to get those votes.
Stephen Koranda reports: