A Kansas House committee is preparing to debate proposals for raising taxes to erase the budget shortfall.
The Taxation Committee plans to discuss various revenue-raising proposals today. Legislative researchers say lawmakers must eliminate a $422 million deficit in the state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Budget problems arose after the Legislature aggressively cut personal income taxes at Gov. Sam Brownback's urging in 2012 and 2013 in an effort to stimulate the economy.
The state exempted more than 330,000 business owners and farmers from income taxes altogether.
The House committee is reviewing a bill backtracking on the exemption for business owners despite Brownback's opposition.
The committee also is considering higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco and increasing the state's sales tax.
