Busy is the best way to describe the atmosphere at the state house in Topeka as the regular legislative session draws nearer to an end.
During an appearance on KVOE’s Morning Show Thursday, 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia says there is a lot of work still left to do before legislative committees conclude their business Friday. Of course, one of the primary focuses is on taxing and budgetary matters.
Longbine tells KVOE News lawmakers are waiting to see “where the budget lands” before it can start to take a deep dive into tax items, specifically the state’s sales tax on food. That being said, the Senate did recently pass a bill eliminating all sales tax on food both at the state and local levels with a refined definition of food.
Longbine says he voted against the bill in the Senate as it mandated that local governments eliminate their sales tax on food altogether.
On the budget, following three “difficult days” the Senate did pass a “scaled down version” of the budget Tuesday. While speaking with KVOE News this past weekend Longbine noted he had several concerns with the budget as it was then presented.
During Thursday’s interview, Longbine stated he had received assurances those issues are to be removed.
One item that saw some “tempers flare” recently was a bill related to vaccination requirements both for collegiate and K-12 education.
Longbine says it is unclear what kind of reaction the legislation will receive once it hits the floor, however, he believes it will struggle to make it all the way through the process.
The regular legislative session will conclude Apr. 6. KVOE will continue its series of legislative updates with 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia during the 7:15 am Newsmaker segment Friday.
