Rep. Claeys: Session Could Hit June

The Kansas Legislature continues to wrestle with a mix of proposals and ideas as discussions continue on ways to shore up the state budget.

Salina Representative J.R. Claeys tells KSAL News that everything is still on the table. “It becomes kind of a mishmash of proposals,” he said.

Recent plans in play would turn the clock back on income tax cuts made in 2012 and 2013 for over 330,00 business owners and farmers.

One scheme calls for raising the sales tax while cutting the rate on food. Another proposal would pad the budget by taxing gasoline and tobacco products.

“Everybody has got their limits and preferences and I think cobbling together 63 votes is pretty tough to do on any tax increase,” Claeys said.

Legislators are tasked with closing a projected budget shortfall of $406 million for the next fiscal year which begins on July 1st.

Representative Claeys added, “Honestly I think that we’re going to run into June. There is a good group of folks who just are not willing to raise taxes at all, and think that we need to go back to the budget side of things and look at where efficiencies can be made.”

Tuesday was the 93rd day of the Legislature’s planned 90 day session in Topeka.

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