Governor Laura Kelly is pushing for the elimination of the Kansas food sale tax. In a letter to the Wichita Eagle yesterday, the Governor highlighted that the State of Kansas pays the second highest food sales tax in the nation. She says that between that tax and the pandemic-induced inflation that has raised prices on all kinds of goods, it’s no surprise Kansans are struggling. Her call to “Ax the Food Tax” started several months ago. She says if eliminated, it would save Kansas families an average of $500.00 a year. She also points out that eliminating the tax will also help Kansas grocers and farmers. She states that grocery stores near state lines have lost business due to the high tax on food because shoppers are crossing state lines just to save on groceries.
Kelly says the state has the means to do it, with the largest budget surplus in 40 years and a responsibly managed budget, the state can still fix roads and bridges, fully fund public schools and expand access to high-speed internet. She urges lawmakers to get a clean Bill to her desk as quickly as possible.
