Governor Laura Kelly has followed through on a promise to veto the latest tax bill sent to her by the legislature. It was the third time this year Kelly has vetoed a plan for cutting income, sales and property taxes by a total of $1.45 billion or more over the next three years. GOP leaders have grown increasingly frustrated as they’ve made what they see as major concessions, including giving up on moving Kansas from three personal income tax rates to just one. Kelly citing that with the tax cuts proposed, the states $4 billion surplus would dwindle to zero by July of 2028 if it becomes law.
Kelly says she will announce the date of a Special Session next week, calling the legislature back into session to hash out a tax relief bill that is satisfying to both parties and her office.
Republican leaders are criticizing the Special Session, saying the session will cost taxpayers more than $200,000 for just three days. Lawmakers now will have to suspend their reelection campaigns and return to Topeka to produce a plan the Governor is willing to sign. They also could entertain other bills on any other subject matter, but it would mean starting from scratch with a new piece of legislation.
