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 7
Ethan Corson (Democratic, incumbent)
I was proud to support the tax cut package that passed during the Special Session. I was particularly supportive of the provisions that eliminated taxes on Social Security, lowered property taxes, lowered income taxes, doubled the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, and increased the standard deduction and the personal exemption.
As a member of the Senate Tax Committee, I’ve helped shepherd the passage of considerable tax relief, including the complete elimination of the state sales tax on groceries and targeted tax relief for seniors, veterans, families, and first-time homebuyers.
I would like to see additional property tax relief. I support doubling the exemption from the state property tax from the first $75,000 in assessed value to the first $150,000 in assessed value and support expanding eligibility for the property tax freeze so more Johnson County seniors qualify.
Dave Dannov (Republican)
I believe the tax cuts were a good step towards more reasonable taxation and budgeting; however, they did not go far enough. We need to continue to pursue additional property tax relief, if not for everyone, at least for those on fixed retirement incomes, and for small businesses. Governor Kelly has vowed to give no further property tax relief; I pledge to support overriding her veto of property tax relief.
