It could have been worse. THE REPUBLICAN-controlled legislature is betting that by reducing spending on its obligations it will somehow create a better state. Reduced spending for public schools, prisons, highways, state parks, social services — will all be worth it, because in return Kansans will pay lower income taxes, shifting the burden to sales and property taxes.
But that’s hardly a compliment.
Kansas legislators worked into the wee hours of Sunday morning to wrap up an extended session of the Legislature. And while they didn’t do the damage Gov. Brownback requested, they still inflicted plenty of pain.
Higher education is to see a reduction of $35 million in funding, the Department of Corrections will have a cut of $12.5 million, the statewide sales tax will settle at 6.15 percent instead of 5.7 percent beginning in July, and some itemized deductions for things like mortgage interest will be substantially reduced.
Income taxes will not be reduced quite as drastically as the governor had requested, although the plan still puts Kansas in a severe deficit when the full cuts go into effect in 2018. Let’s see, that would be well into the governor’s almost-guaranteed second term.
Legislators approved dropping the top tax bracket from 4.9 to 3.9 percent and the lower bracket from 3 percent to 2.3 percent. Brownback had asked for top wage-earners to pay a 3.5 percent rate on $30,000 and above and 1.9 percent for those who make $15,000-$30,000.
After 2018, any revenue growth above 2 percent would go to further reduce the income tax to Brownback’s goal of zero.
Legislators have gone along with Brownback’s “starve the beast” mentality.
Trouble is, that “beast” is good jobs and worthwhile programs and projects, which, when lost, will require a lot more than money to repair.
— Susan Lynn
