Tax matters and pharmaceutical policy are front and center for 17th District Senator Mike Argabright as the Kansas Legislature approaches the second half of the session.
On KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Friday, Argabright says property tax policy is really the key discussion for the rest of the session.
Argabright mentioned concerns about bills that would affect property tax policy, one of which would swap property taxes with a retail sales surcharge and another that would cap county property tax increases at 3 percent unless there were special elections to go above the cap. Balancing money in and out is a concern with the retail surcharge bill. Local control is a concern with the 3-percent increase bill.
Argabright spent a lot of time discussing concerns about pharmacy pricing, specifically when it comes to pharmacy benefit managers. Industry pricing transparency is a concern, notably whether dispensing fees are necessary.
Argabright says there are several items addressed in the bill now on the Senate floor.
Argabright also mentioned a House bill designed to more than double the state’s official minimum wage from $7.25 to $16 an hour.
Turnaround Week is next week.
Locally, the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters Emporia chapter are working to schedule Legislative Dialogues. An announcement is expected soon.
