Coalition Seeks Income, Gas Taxes Hikes to Fix Kansas Budget

A coalition of Kansas teachers, state workers, contractors and others is proposing to increase income and gasoline taxes to fix the state’s budget problems.

But the plan outlined Wednesday by the Rise Up Kansas Coalition also would reduce the state’s sales tax on groceries to help poor families.

The plan would undo some of the massive income tax cuts the Republican-controlled Legislature enacted in 2012 and 2013 at GOP Gov. Sam Brownback’s urging in an effort to stimulate the economy.

The coalition’s plan would increase revenues by $821 million for the next fiscal year, which begins in July.

The plan would revive a third income tax bracket for the state’s wealthiest taxpayers with the top rate of 6.45 percent. It would boost the gas tax 11 cents a gallon.