A notable tax reform package has cleared one major hurdle — doing so with ease Thursday night.
The Kansas Senate passed SB 539 by a 29-11 vote, or by more than enough votes to override a veto attempt if the bill passes the House and is then vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly. 17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia was in the majority.
Senate Bill 539 is designed to offer residents several forms of tax relief by adjusting and simplifying tax rates for individuals, as well as increasing both the standard deduction and personal exemption. It also eliminates the sales and use taxes for food and food ingredients effective July 1 while increasing the extent of property tax exemptions for residential property when related to statewide school levies.
SB 539 follows efforts by both Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Republican leadership to reduce the tax burden on residents. Both plans had several similar components, but the Republican plan had a flat tax above certain income levels for individuals or married couples, while the Kelly plan focused on increasing standard deductions. Both chambers passed the Republican plan but an override effort failed.
