The Kansas Legislature was finally able to pass long awaited tax reform over the weekend following months of debate between the legislature and Gov. Laura Kelly.
The bill will cut taxes by $1.57 billion over the next three years, following the failure to pass a $1.4 billion package that was negotiated on between Kelly and Republican leaders in the House and Senate. The measure advanced 24-9 in the Senate and unanimously in the House and now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.
67th District State Rep. Mike Dodson opposed the original bill because it only cut one income bracket but supported the final legislation.
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Dodson says the final outcome does provide taxpayers some relief.
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The bill will cut taxes by $636 million in the first year, $458 million in the second year and $462 million in the third year.
The governor can choose to sign the bill or veto it. If she chooses to veto the legislation, the House would need 84 votes to overturn Kelly’s veto and the Senate would need 27. It’s unknown if there are enough members to override a potential veto.
As part of their rush to get final important legislation to Gov. Laura Kelly before wrapping the legislative session was also the state budget, which was approved by the legislature at the end of last week.
The $25 billion budget was passed with bipartisan majorities and it financed 5 to 10% raises for most state employees and sidestepped a separate vote on the 93% raise for legislators recommended by a special commission.
Dodson says that while the state has been behind on its revenues the last three quarters, the state has reached its levels this quarter.
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The budget also includes $15.7 million to finance deployment of the Kansas National Guard to the southwestern border near Mexico. The budget does not include money for Medicaid expansion. Dodson expressed his disappointment about once again calling the hearings on the matter a “show trial.”
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