Tax & Spending

Many city and county officials don’t trust taxpayers 0
- Tax & Spending
- February 10, 2020
Last week’s hearing on SB 294, a property tax transparency bill, exposed an ugly truth that’s simmered beneath the surface for a long time – many city and county officials don’t trust taxpayers. Kansans are decent, understanding people. If their city and county officials make a compelling case to raise taxes for things like improved
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Lawmakers can serve Kansans without Medicaid Expansion 0
- Tax & Spending
- February 10, 2020
With Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle vowing the Kansas Senate will not take up Medicaid Expansion until the life amendment is on the ballot, some have claimed up to 150,000 Kansans could be at risk. However, research says that’s not true. All 150,000 Kansans can immediately get the services they need. Medicaid Expansion isn’t required.
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5 things you need to know about property taxes in Kansas 0
- Tax & Spending
- February 6, 2020
The heavy burden of high property taxes is taking a toll on Kansans. But, there are solutions. Our local governments should address this crisis with a sense of urgency and stop the practice of backdoor tactics that raise property taxes without a vote. It’s time for transparency and accountability. Here are the top five things
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Gov. Kelly’s 2020 budget: Five things you should know 0
- Tax & Spending
- January 20, 2020
Governor Kelly had an opportunity to exhibit fiscal restraint when presenting her budget last week. With state tax revenues coming in higher than expected – partly because of recent record tax hikes – the Kelly Administration missed a chance to build a structurally-balanced budget. Instead, this budget breaks a new record in spending for the
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Property tax hikes are proof of an honesty gap 0
- Tax & Spending
- January 13, 2020
City and county officials often want Kansas homeowners and businesses to believe that they’ve “held the line” on property taxes. However, Kansans soon realize local officials spoke only of mill rates. Kansans’ property taxes continue to climb as local officials raise property valuations while not adjusting mill rates. The difference between that mill rate growth
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Views of individual Kansans clear in new poll 0
- Research, Tax & Spending
- January 7, 2020
The Kansas legislature will convene next week with as much an eye to their upcoming elections as to the policy work they’ll tackle. Certainly, some policy-making will be done, but the overriding concern will be the electoral calendar. The views of individual Kansans who are most-concerned about their family and local opportunities can be lost,
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