Tax relief is coming to Kansas residents after a bill passed by the Legislature gained the signature of Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday.
The governor signed House Bill 2239, which cuts over $300 million in taxes over a three-year stretch. More than a third of that comes from increasing the 20-mill residential property tax exemption, used to fund public schools, from $20,000 to $40,000 — creating roughly $134 million in tax cuts just by that step.
The bill had overwhelming support in the House and full support in the Senate, including “yes” votes from 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia, 51st District Representative Ron Highland of Wamego and 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington. 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia voted “present and passing.”
The does not include upcoming discussion on reducing or eliminating the current 6.5-percent sales tax on food. Ending the tax has been promoted by Governor Kelly, the Governor’s Council on Tax Reform and Kelly’s main Republican challenger this election cycle, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt. Lawmakers will likely debate that measure after the veto session begins April 25.
