Super Stupid

Lawmakers in Kansas Are Considering Tax Cuts Again

Written by SK Ashby

It's been less than a year since state lawmakers were forced to raise taxes to dig themselves out of the fiscal hole former Governor Sam Brownback left them in.

It's been less than a month since lawmakers voted to increase funding for education in response to the state Supreme Court's ruling that they must do so.

The Wichita Eagle now reports that lawmakers may wipe out the progress they've made with a round of election-year tax cuts.

Who’s not going to give people back more of their money in an election year? I think that would be a no-brainer,” said Rep. John Whitmer, R-Wichita.

Other lawmakers say they worry that cutting revenue just as Kansas appears to be turning a corner will lead the state into new budget problems. They also contend it will leave the Legislature unable to make good on the plan it passed in response to a state Supreme Court order to adequately fund schools.

The Legislature returns on Thursday, with just eight days to work before adjourning. Republican leaders have told lawmakers they could work through the weekend.

It's still not even clear how the legislature is going to fund their commitment to increase spending on education by $500 million per year.

On top of that unfunded commitment, the tax cuts they're considering right now would reduce revenue by at least $141 million in the next fiscal year.

The money has to come from somewhere and the easiest possible thing they could do is literally nothing. They don't have to make things harder by passing a new tax cut.