Month: June 2017

by Sam Zeff, KCUR and Kansas News Service

On Day 108 of the Kansas Legislature’s session, lawmakers got down to business. They passed a school funding bill that adds nearly $300 million over two years for public education, then they approved a $1.2 billion tax plan.

But minutes after the Senate’s 26-14 tax plan vote, Gov. Sam Brownback said he would veto the package, which would put thousands of small businesses and farmers back on the tax rolls, add a third income tax bracket and restore a number of tax deductions and credits.

In short, it dismantles Brownback’s signature accomplishment: his 2012 tax cuts.

In his veto message early Tuesday, the governor said the bill “will substantially damage job creation and leave our citizens poorer in the future.”

Neither the Senate or House vote, 69-52, provides a veto-proof majority. House members need 15 additional votes for a veto override, while the Senate needs one.

The Legislature approved a tax plan in February that Brownback vetoed, and the Senate fell short in a veto override attempt.

Rep. Melissa Rooker, a moderate Republican from Fairway, said she wants Brownback to respect legislators’ hard work. More importantly, she said, at this late date the Legislature must wrap up.

“So it’s time. It’s time, and I sincerely hope he puts his signature on the bill,” she said.

Sen. Barbara Bollier, a Republican from Mission Hills, said if the package is vetoed, she is looking at one person to change her vote.

“I think her name is going to be (Senate President) Susan Wagle, in my opinion,” Bollier said. “It better be.”

During debate of the tax plan, Democrats and moderate Republicans said the financial hole Brownback created with his tax cuts is just too deep.

“We have got to stop digging a hole. We went too far in 2012,” said Rep. Tom Sawyer, a Wichita Democrat.

Democrats and moderate Republicans pushed for a phased-in child care tax credit that will cost the state an estimated $9 million a year. While income tax rates will go up across the board, Sawyer said a family of four making $60,000 a year actually would save about $100 a year with the child tax credit.

Conservative Republicans were unhappy with the plan and their leadership. Some said GOP leaders caved to Democrats.

“I feel like we’re rolling over and giving up,” said Rep. Jack Thimesch of Cunningham.

Lawmakers still need to pass a budget, and leaders hope to wrap up what was planned to be a 100-day session by Friday.

Sam Zeff covers education for KCUR and the Kansas News Service and is co-host of the political podcast Statehouse Blend Kansas. Follow him on Twitter @SamZeff. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to KCUR.org.

See more at http://kcur.org/post/legislature-approves-tax-plan-and-brownback-promises-veto.

by Stephen Koranda, Kansas Public Radio, Kansas News Service

A school finance plan that will add nearly $300 million over two years gained approval Monday night in the Kansas Legislature and now moves to Gov. Sam Brownback for consideration.

Lawmakers faced a June 30 deadline to increase school funding after a March ruling from the Kansas Supreme Court that said current funding is inadequate. During debate, some lawmakers raised concerns that the $300 million plan will not satisfy the court and could make a special session likely.

With those issues in mind, Republican Sen. Dinah Sykes said she reluctantly voted yes so districts can start preparing for the next school year.

“Not knowing is more harmful and our school boards need to set their budgets,” said Sykes, a Lenexa Republican. “I believe we will see this again and hopefully we will address these concerns and craft a better bill, but I am in support.”

Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning said the funding numbers had been carefully calculated and he believes the plan will gain approval from the court.

The school funding plan passed the House on a 67-55 vote. The Senate later approved it 23-17.

The bill includes a provision expanding a private school tax credit program to include individuals. Currently only corporations can provide scholarship money to at-risk students and then claim a 70 percent tax credit.

The tax credit program was a flash point for several lawmakers.

“We need to send this back and get that tax credit out,” said Rep. Steven Crum, a Democrat from Haysville.

Earlier Monday the House rejected a different version of the bill that combined school funding with tax increases. That “mega bill” failed 32-91.

Republicans split on that earlier vote, with some conservatives saying they opposed raising taxes. Other House members said the two big issues shouldn’t be tied together.

Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service. KCUR reporter Sam Zeff contributed to this story.

See more at http://kcur.org/post/kansas-lawmakers-send-school-funding-increase-brownback.