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 10
Andrew Mall (Democratic)
Hard-working Kansans should keep more of their hard-earned money, and our legislature should focus on them – not large corporations and the wealthy. If I had been in the legislature this past session, I would have voted for the bipartisan tax compromise, but there is still more we can do to lower taxes. For example, we can build on the new law by increasing the property tax relief.
Mike Thompson (Republican, incumbent)
I think our tax bill was a start, but it needs to go farther. It was the best package we could get passed given the Governor has been an impediment to tax relief for Kansans during her tenure.
Economically, Kansans are feeling a severe financial pinch on everything from gas to groceries. Property tax valuations are out of control, and that creates a barrier to entry into the housing market for young families. The high property taxes are also running our elderly who are on fixed incomes, out of their homes. The high inflation of the past 4 years creates a sales tax windfall to governments. And the state of Kansas is sitting on a $4 Billion dollar surplus. All of these factors are why we need more robust tax relief. Kansans need to keep more of their own money to use to defray the effects of inflation.
If I am re-elected, I will make it a priority to cap property tax valuations, increase the Homestead tax exemptions and raise the income threshold for those who qualify for the Homestead exemptions. I would also like to help our disabled veterans with property tax exemptions on their personal property tax items, as well. And, I will also work to bring a single rate tax to Kansas with a lower overall tax rate which will make us more competitive with surrounding states. Lowering or eliminating corporate taxes is also a goal, as corporations never pay tax…they simply pass their tax bill along to consumers…that will help lower their costs and make them more competitive. I would also like to consider a 30 day grace period for small businesses with regard to remitting sales tax to the state. Many times they have to pay the sales tax to the state even though they may not have yet received payment on outstanding accounts receivable. The aggregate of all these policies will help stem the tide of people leaving Kansas, and help spur organic economic growth without corporate welfare.
