Kansas Considers Modifying Agriculture Tax policy

Kansas officials are supporting a bill before the Legislature aimed at increasing investment in agriculture production, including more dairy and poultry operations.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and his administration are seeking changes in tax policy that would give more than $10 million in sales tax exemptions and corporate income tax credits to large firms involved in animal agriculture.

The bill includes retroactive clauses that would allow businesses to get credit for investments made in 2012.

Some lawmakers said they have concerns the bill doesn’t follow the spirit of the High Performance Incentive Program that was created to encourage future business expansion.

Agriculture associations back the legislation. They say it makes the state’s business policies more inclusive and will attract new investment in Kansas.