The Kansas House killed a tax cut bill on its way out the door Friday, ending the 2018 session with yet another signal that this isnt the same conservative-dominated body of just two years ago.
This is the Legislature that voted last year to expand Medicaid and end then-Gov. Sam Brownbacks signature 2012 tax cuts with a two-year, $1.2 billion tax hike.
But even as lawmakers finished their second year moving toward the middle, a few suggested the decision to reject tax cuts will feed into this falls elections. It could make some Democrats and moderate Republicans groups that both gained seats in 2016 vulnerable to more conservative challengers.
It will not be without political consequence.
It will not be without political consequence, said Rep. Stephanie Clayton, among those who blocked the bill with a 59-59 vote. Those of us who voted no will likely face some political difficulties for doing so.
But the moderate Overland Park Republican said blocking that tax change was needed to keep the state budget on solid footing.
Rep. Chuck Weber, a Wichita conservative, left convinced that only Novembers election can restore a smaller, more frugal state government.
Unfortunately there are too many Democrats well, all the Democrats and too many Republicans who want to spend more of the peoples money, he said. Were going to work hard to get the big tax-and-spenders out of this place.
Many moderates and Democrats argue the state is still recovering from years of fiscal woes stemming from the 2008 financial crisis and Brownbacks tax cuts. And, they note, it faces increasing court pressure to better fund schools.
But many conservatives say and some of their less conservative colleagues agreed that last years tax hike meant they had a responsibility to help taxpayers this year.
A few said taking in more taxes from Kansans because of a change in federal tax law would be like finding a bag of someone elses money and not returning it.
Is it a windfall? … Its not the states money.
Is it a windfall? What is it? Rep. Ken Rahjes asked. To me, its a takings. Its not the states money.
The bill that failed would have prevented Kansas taxpayers who itemize on their state returns from getting stuck with higher state taxes next year. That anticipated increase comes from changes Congress made in last years federal tax overhaul.
State legislative leaders and others who backed the bill have repeatedly called that money a windfall that the state has no right to keep.
