Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Earlier this summer, lawmakers passed and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law a tax cut package that slashes roughly $2.4 billion in property and income taxes over the next three years. The law reduces state income tax brackets from three tiers to two and eliminates the state tax on Social Security benefits, among other things. Do you think the most recent tax cut bill provides enough relief for Kansans? Why or why not? If elected, would you seek more tax cuts and, if so, what would that look like?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:
District 121
Mel Pinick (Democratic)
While the relief passed last session was a step in the right direction, it does not provide enough for our working class families. We need more targeted relief as we have seen property taxes increase yearly with the state budget ballooning. Republicans spent most of the last 2 years trying to force a Brownback 2.0 flat fax, and have already announced their plan for a 0% corporate tax in the next session that would send the state back into a financial spiral that our working families will have to pull us out of again.
I would support recreating some version of revenue sharing with local governments, the previous version was repealed last session, as this would directly impact property taxes, which would lower property taxes for all homeowners. I would also support a reduction in the assessment rate from 11% to 9%, to help shift some of the tax burden off of residential homeowners.
John Resman (Republican, incumbent)
The tax bill that passed during the special session was a compromise between the Governor and leadership. I voted for it.
In the coming months we will have the opportunity to see the effect these tax cuts will have on the state budget, economy, and if we can control spending. The number one tax issue I hear about from homeowners is property tax relief. The tax bill that passed did not directly address property tax and offered very little relief.
If re-elected I would support additional property tax relief. This is what homeowners of my district are asking for.
