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KS Lawmakers Approve Tax Plan to Fix Budget

By Associated Press

06/12/2015

(AP)--Kansas legislators have approved increases in sales and cigarette taxes to erase a budget deficit and avert deep spending cuts.

The Senate voted 21-19 Friday to approve a bill raising the sales tax to 6.5 percent from 6.15 percent. The House passed it 63-45 early Friday morning, and it goes next to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

The GOP-dominated Legislature also is sending Brownback a companion bill to increase the cigarette tax by 50 cents a pack to $1.29. The House passed it 63-44 early Friday, after the Senate's approval Sunday.

The two bills together would raise $384 million during the fiscal year that begins July 1. Even with the new revenues, Republicans who drafted the plan said Brownback might have to cut up to $50 million in spending.

The state's budget problems arose after lawmakers slashed income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback's urging to stimulate the economy.

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