(Flickr photo by Andy Callahan)
The Kansas House has given first-round approval to a bill to cut income tax rates. The goal is boosting the state's economy. The bill would cut tax rates for personal income and many small businesses. Lawmakers also added a provision that would eliminate state sales taxes on all food purchases. The state currently offers low-income Kansans a food tax rebate, which maxes out at $91 per person. Representative Jana (JAN-uh) Goodman, from Leavenworth, said eliminating the sales tax on food would be a bigger help.
Ending the sales tax on food would cost the state an estimated $350 million per year. Opponents say the proposed legislation already benefits low-income people without the additional tax break on food.