The Kansas House has unanimously passed a bill designed to give residents several forms of tax relief.
The bill eliminates the bottom tax rate of 3.1 percent, creates a dual-rate structure, decreases the state levy by two mills, exempts the first $100,000 of home value for property tax owners, ends the income tax on Social Security and ends the food sales tax this upcoming July.
60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia says property tax relief was a big priority.
76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington says there will be a lot of work in conference committee between House and Senate members to iron out differences in the plans.
In unrelated news, lawmakers have passed a bill that would end gender-affirming care for minors.
The vote in the Senate was 27-13 in favor, with 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia in the majority. He says the bill needed more conversation on certain aspects before it was deemed ready for a vote.
Schreiber says this was an inappropriate step for lawmakers to take, citing research through the Mayo Clinic.
Smith disagrees. He says the idea of children making permanent body changes did not sit well with many lawmakers or his constituents. He also says this does not mean legislation against adults considering gender-affirming procedures.
The bill would prevent treatments including puberty blockers, hormone treatments and surgeries. Patients in gender therapy would then need to have plans to eventually stop their treatments. Doctors, meanwhile, could have civil lawsuits filed and they could lose their licenses if they perform any treatments outlined in the document.
The bill now goes to Governor Laura Kelly for her decision, and she will likely veto the measure. The Senate has a veto-proof majority, while the House is just short.
6:15 am Thursday: Bill to end gender-affirming care for minors headed to Governor Laura Kelly
Kansas lawmakers have passed a bill that would end gender-affirming care for minors.
The Kansas House voted 82-39 in favor of Substitute for Senate Bill 233, with 13th District Representative Duane Droge of Eureka and 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington both in favor. 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia voted against it.
The Kansas Senate then followed with a 27-13 yes vote, with those in favor including 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia.
SB 233, also known as the Forbidding Abusive Child Transitions Act, would prevent treatments including puberty blockers, hormone treatments and surgeries. Patients in gender therapy would then need to have plans to eventually stop their treatments. Doctors, meanwhile, could have civil lawsuits filed and they could lose their licenses if they perform any treatments outlined in the document.
The bill now goes to Governor Laura Kelly for her decision, and she will likely veto the measure. The Senate has a veto-proof majority, while the House is just short.
We’ll have comments from local lawmakers Thursday on KVOE and KVOE.com.
