The 2023 Kansas Legislative Veto Session is over and Kansas has a new budget. An overwhelming majority of the Kansas Legislature approved a budget bill allocating more than $120 million to raise salaries of state employees and delivering $220 million to assist cities and counties eager to qualify for Federal Infrastructure Aid during the next four years. Not all lawmakers were happy with the budget. Senator Caryn Tyson chairs the Senate Tax Committee and says derailment of legislation slashing state taxes by $1.4 billion left her with no choice but to oppose the budget bill. Tyson says the state is increasing Government spending to the point it’s out of control and not sustainable, but it seems the state is not willing to give taxpayers a tax cut in order to help pay their bills.
Before adjourning the Annual Legislative Session Friday night, lawmakers rejected Kelly’s proposal for an $820 million initiative delivering to every adult Kansas taxpayer a check for $450 this summer. The Governor made the proposal as an alternative to tax reductions sought by GOP Legislators.
