Kansas House Panel Passes Budget With Tax Increases

A Kansas panel has endorsed a $6.4 billion budget that doesn’t balance without tax increases.

The House Appropriations Committee approved the plan Tuesday. The budget would fall about $530 million short if the Legislature does not increase taxes on alcohol and cigarettes as Republican Gov. Sam Brownback has recommended.

Republican Rep. Virgil Peck from Tyro said that he would not support a budget that increases spending without having secured the revenues to pay for it.

Chairman and Republican Rep. Ron Ryckman of Olathe said approving the plan would help clarify how much additional revenue the state will need through new taxes.

The Senate approved the largest portion of the state budget by passing the governor’s school funding overhaul Monday. Brownback is expected to sign the plan later this week.