Kansas senators are studying what it would take to send a so-called “windfall” back to state taxpayers. The price tag could hit $400 million over three years.
The federal tax cut of 2017 will have some Kansans paying more in state taxes.
Republican Senate President Susan Wagle is in a hurry to pass legislation that would apply to tax returns being filed now.
“If we don’t pass this bill, backdate this bill, Kansas individuals, families and businesses will all have a tax increase this year,” Wagle says.
Democratic Sen. Tom Holland is concerned the plan to give that money back would lead to budget deficits.
“We can’t afford this unless we do something drastic to our budget," Holland says. "We have to fund our schools. We have make pension payments. We have to fund critical services.”
A Senate committee could vote on a tax bill as soon as Thursday.
Stephen Koranda is Statehouse reporter for Kansas Public Radio, a partner in the Kansas News Service. Follow him on Twitter @kprkoranda. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post. To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.
