Senators at ease Wednesday during a break between debates. (Photo by Stephen Koranda)The Kansas Senate has approved a heavily altered version of Governor Sam Brownback’s plan to cut income taxes. The Senate amended the bill yesterday (TUE), then this morning rejected it on a tie vote. Two hours later, senators reconsidered and approved the bill on a 29-11 vote. Senator Les Donovan, a Wichita Republican, lobbied for lawmakers to pass the bill. He says the legislation isn’t perfect, but passing it allows senators to continue working on the issue.
A spokesperson for the governor says Brownback and his staff did talk to some senators between the two votes. Brownback hailed the bill's passage as a step in the right direction. Senators restored tax credits and exemptions the governor’s plan would have eliminated. They also voted to allow a temporary sales tax increase to expire next year as planned.