Lawmakers in the Kansas House rejected a Senate bill Friday that would have slashed an estimated $78 million during the state’s next budget year, which begins July 1.
The Senate passed the bill 21-19 on Thursday, but it stalled in the House with a 59-59 vote Friday. Republican leaders spent hours trying to persuade reluctant lawmakers to support the bill which would have guaranteed individuals the option of itemizing deductions on their state returns. The bill came as a response to changes in federal tax laws that will force some individuals and corporations to pay more to the state because the state’s tax code is tied to the federal one.
Critics of the bill likened it to the income tax cuts of former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback in 2012 and 2013. According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, House members voting against the legislation were wary of depleting the state’s cash reserves with tax breaks with so many state budget needs still unmet. Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine voted in favor of the measure.
60th District Representative Mark Schreiber voted in favor of the tax cuts after hearing from those on both sides of the issue.
51st District Representative Ron Highland of Wamego and 76th District Representative Eric Smith of Burlington also voted in favor of the tax reform bill.
Another issue of concern for lawmakers includes a school-finance lawsuit idling before the Kansas Supreme Court, which will soon decide whether a $525 million, five-year plan signed by Gov. Jeff Colyer is constitutionally adequate.
Both the Senate and House have adjourned for the year.
