The Kansas House is not in favor with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly’s plan to end the state’s 6.5-percent food sales tax in one shot.
House members on Tuesday voted 74-48 against bringing a bill to the floor that would have totally eliminated the tax. 51st District Representative Ron Highland of Wamego and 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington were both in the majority. 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia was absent.
The Senate will discuss its version of a “zero-percent” food sales tax bill Wednesday. Both the House and Senate are considering bills that would eventually end the sales tax, but in “step-down” fashion instead of all at once.
Also Tuesday, the Kansas Senate voted to override four vetoes from Governor Kelly on Tuesday.
The Senate had a veto-proof majority on SB 160, the so-called Fairness in Women’s Sports Act. This bill is designed to halt transgender athletes from participating in girls or women’s sports.
There was another veto-proof majority for SB 58, also known as the Parents’ Bill of Rights. It’s a bill that gives parents more chances to inspect school curriculum and other teaching materials while giving them a chance to make legal challenges if they disagree with what’s presented.
The Senate also overrode the governor for SB 199, a bill designed to improve short-term health care plans, and SB 493, which prevents cities and counties from banning, limiting or taxing plastics items like bags, straws and food containers.
17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia voted with the majority for all four bills.
These bills go to the Kansas House for its override votes, which may not happen until next week.
