TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Governor Sam Brownback is proposing sweeping

changes in the state’s individual income tax system that would

reduce rates and help thousands of small business owners.

But the proposals Brownback outlined Wednesday in the State of

the State address also would eliminate nearly two dozen tax credits

and increase mineral severance taxes for some oil and gas

producers. It also would keep the state sales tax at 6.3 percent,

even though the tax is scheduled by law to drop to 5.7 percent in

July 2013.

Speaking to a joint session of the Legislature, the governor

said his proposals would make income taxes, in his words, "fairer,

flatter and simpler."

Brownback already has outlined other parts of his agenda,

including a plan to overhaul how the state finances public schools.

STATE OF THE STATE-DEMOCRATS

Kan. Democratic leader says funding schools is key

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The top Democrat in the Kansas House says

that if the state is going to cut taxes, it ought to focus on

reducing property taxes.

House Minority Leader Paul Davis of Lawrence gave his party’s

response Wednesday night to Governor Sam Brownback’s State of the

State address. The Republican governor outlined a sweeping tax plan

that focuses on cuts in individual income tax rates.

Davis said property taxes have increased 65 percent in the past

decades. Democratic legislators already have outlined a proposal to

dedicate part of the future growth in state revenues to property

tax relief.

Democrats also would use part of future revenue growth to boost

to aid to public schools. Davis said past cuts in education funding

should be reversed.