Kansas House members have given first-round
approval legislation cutting state income tax rates and abolishing
the sales tax on groceries.
The 68-53 vote Tuesday afternoon capped five hours of debate on
taxes. Approval on a second vote would send the bill to the Senate.
The measure would lower the tax rates in all income brackets and
require any growth in state revenue above 3 percent be used to cut
taxes further.
It would also phase out earnings taxes for thousands of
partnerships, sole proprietorships and other small businesses. The
sales tax rate would drop to 5.7 percent from 6.3 percent in July
2013, as previously scheduled.
Proponents say the changes would give all Kansans more
disposable and create jobs. Critics called the policy misguided.