Kansas tax collections have been lagging expectations in recent months. A group of economists and state officials will meet today (FRI) to update the state’s revenue projections, which are used when lawmakers write the budget. KPR’s Stephen Koranda reports on what could be amended.
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Sales tax collections have been coming in short in Kansas, meaning that is one of the areas where the projections could be lowered.
Legislative Research Economist Chris Courtwright says they expected with low gas prices people would be spending the money they’re saving at the pump, but the sales tax receipts aren’t bearing that out.
“It’s something we’re trying to get our heads around. There are some concerns about consumer confidence and these kinds of things. These are just some of the things we’re trying to evaluate as revenue estimators,” says Courtwright.
Kansas has also seen lower-than-expected tax collections on oil and gas production and corporate income, so those forecasts could also be reduced. If the revenue estimates are pushed down, that could put the state’s budget for the year into a significant deficit.