Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has proposed giving Kansas residents who filed State Income Tax Returns last year, a one-time rebate of $250. The Governor had given no public hints she was considering such a proposal. She has already called for eliminating the State’s “high-for-the-U. S.” sales tax on groceries. Kelly says Kansas can afford one-time rebates because the payments won’t permanently reduce state revenues. Her plan would provide $250 to individual filers and $500 to married couples filing jointly. The rebates would go to 1.2 million Kansas residents, costing the State about $445 million.
Republicans were immediately skeptical of Kelly’s plan, both because of its timing and because the tax relief would not continue after next year. Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Ron Ryckman, Jr., say they prefer permanent tax cuts.
