The Kansas Senate is on board with eliminating the state’s 6.5-percent sales tax on food. It just isn’t on the same timetable as what Governor Laura Kelly wants.
On Wednesday, the Senate voted 39-0 to use a “step-down” approach through 2025. The Republican plan is set to drop the tax to 4 percent next year and 2 percent in 2024.
17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia voted for the bill. This now moves to the House for consideration.
Governor Kelly, a Democrat, has pushed for full elimination of the tax immediately. Her main Republican challenger in this election cycle, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, has asked lawmakers to either end or reduce the tax. Lawmakers have expressed concerns with the governor’s all-at-once approach, given a possible $500 million hit to the state budget.
