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 5
Henry Johns (Democratic)
I do not feel the current tax plan is a fair one, nor do I feel it does enough for Kansans. It helps those with the most and does not do enough for the people who have the least and keeping the burden on the middleclass.
I think eliminating the tax on Social Security is a good thing, but I feel property taxes are a burden on many Kansans. I would like to see more than a $65/year savings on homeowner’s tax.
If the legislature adopted a simple plan of exempting the first $100,000 of appraised value, reducing the percentage of appraised value taxed and reinstatement of, and funding of the LAVTRF would bring significant relief to homeowners that would be ongoing, not just a one time $65.
I am not a believer in trickle-down economics or that those who have benefited the most should pay the least in taxes.
Carrie Barth (Republican, incumbent)
Did not provide the Post with a response.
