TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A Kansas House panel has set aside two days

for hearings on whether to abolish several exemptions to the state

sales tax.

The House Taxation Committee planned to begin the work Thursday

by examining the sales tax exemptions for recreational activities,

fundraising events, nonprofit and charitable groups and religious

organizations.

Kansas lawmakers have been giving the sales tax a closer look as

the state faces a projected $416 million budget deficit in the

fiscal year that starts July 1.

The House panel has already rejected one revenue-raising idea –

a proposal from Gov. Mark Parkinson to raise the 5.3 percent sales

tax to 6.3 percent for three years.