Kansas lawmakers have reached a tax compromise that suspends Governor Sam Brownback’s initiative to eliminate the state income tax. The plan freezes income tax rates for the next three years to stabilize the budget. Lead House negotiator Marvin Kleeb (KLEHB), an Overland Park Republican, says continuing to cut personal income tax rates would force lawmakers to approve massive increases in the sales tax to keep state government operating.
Kleeb says most House members don't want to do that. To solve the immediate problem of a $400 million budget deficit, the proposal includes a smaller sales tax increase and a hike in the cigarette tax.