Kansas tax collections came in almost $13 million below the estimate for last month. Personal income tax collections were up in October, but retail sales taxes and corporate income taxes were well below the forecast.
Republican Governor Sam Brownback says sagging energy and ag industries are hurting the state's economy.
“We continue to experience a rural recession. Ag and oil prices continue to be low,” says Brownback.
But Democratic state Senator Laura Kelly blames tax cuts pushed by the governor for the downturn in state revenue. She says there’s more at play in the Kansas economy than just the energy and ag industries.
“Yes, those industries are somewhat depressed in Kansas, but not nearly as depressed as they are in other states where they are not seeing the same kind of (tax) numbers that we are,” says Kelly.
Kansas is now $80 million below projections for the current fiscal year. A panel will meet later this month to update the state revenue forecast.