TOPEKA — A Kansas Senate committee has approved a bill that would repeal a tax break for farmers and business owners championed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback as a pro-growth policy.
The Assessment and Taxation Committee’s action Monday sends the measure to the Senate for debate. But the bill doesn’t come close to closing projected budget shortfalls totaling $887 million through June 2019 or providing additional funds for public schools.
The bill ends an exemption granted in 2012 that allows more than 330,000 farmers and business owners to avoid personal income taxes on their profits. Critics contend the policy is unfair to wage-earners.
The measure is expected to raise $256 million over two years. It has bipartisan support but Democrats and GOP moderates say it’s only a part of a budget fix.
