TOPEKA — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback says he wishes Kansas had preserved part of an income tax break he championed as a boon for small businesses.
Brownback cited the death of the exemption for more than 330,000 farmers and business owners as one of his regrets during his 6.5 years as governor. He reflected on his tenure during a Statehouse news conference following his nomination by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
In June, the legislature voted to override Brownback’s veto of a bill that reversed many of his signature tax cuts. Before that action, the state was facing a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall.
His departure would elevate Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, a fellow GOP conservative, to governor. Brownback said he doesn’t know whether he’ll wait until his ambassador’s appointment is confirmed by the U.S. Senate before resigning as governor.
