Flickr photo by Holley St. Germain
The Kansas Senate could vote on Governor Sam Brownback's tax proposal this week, but there’s uncertainty as to whether one of its main provisions can pass the House. The bill would cut income tax rates. To balance the budget, it would eliminate some income tax deductions and keep the sales tax elevated. But Speaker Ray Merrick, a Stilwell Republican, says House members are cool to keeping the higher sales tax in place.
Merrick says there are multiple tactics they can take, starting with making government more efficient and looking for possible spending cuts. Merrick has also said lawmakers should consider using some of the state’s reserves if they need to. On Friday, Democratic leaders said they would offer some alternatives to the governor’s tax plan, but released few details.