After calling the Kansas Legislature into a special session, Gov. Laura Kelly finally signed tax relief for Kansans despite having vetoes a near exact version of the bill prior to the end of the 2024 session.
The tax relief eliminates income taxes for many at the lower level, reduces the brackets to two, eliminates state income tax on Social Security, and cuts the overall rate.
“Broad property and income tax relief is now officially on its way to every Kansan,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson stated in a joint release. “While we firmly believe more relief could have and should have been included in this bill, it is an important first step toward putting Kansas in the best position for economic growth. When we return in January, we plan to build on this momentum with a focus on providing property tax relief for every Kansan.”
Kansas House Dist 124 Representative Shannon Francis also reacted to the passage and signing of SB 1 tax relief bill.
“I’m glad we were able to pass broad based tax relief for the people of Kansas,” Francis stated in a release. “I wish there had been more property tax relief, and I will work to address that next year.”
In addition to passing tax relief, the Kansas Legislature also passed HB 2001, a STAR Bond incentive package to encourage the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals to relocate to Kansas.
According to Francis, Kansas offers no financial guarantees.
“HB 2001 contained several necessary enhancements to our STAR Bond districts statutes to encourage the Chiefs and Royals to stay in the KC Metro area,” Francis stated. “The STAR Bonds are paid by increased sales tax revenues attributable to new facilities for the teams and not guaranteed by Kansas. The Chiefs and Royals are important to the economic health of Northeast Kansas.”
Hawkins and Masterson also believed the incentive package will be beneficial for Kansas.
“Kansas’ unique STAR Bond tool now provides an additional option for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to remain in the Kansas City region without raising taxes to fund new, state-of-the-art stadium complexes for the teams,” they said in a joint statement. “This exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity holds unlimited potential for both our state and for Chiefs and Royals fans everywhere.”
Earl Watt is the owner and publisher of the Leader & Times in Liberal, Kansas. Watt started his career in journalism in 1991 at the Southwest Daily Times. During his career, the newspaper has won a total of 17 Sweepstakes awards from the Kansas Press Association for editorial content and 18 Sweepstakes awards for advertising. Watt has been recognized with more than 70 first place awards for writing in categories from sports and column to best front pages, best sports pages and best opinion pages. Watt is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and is the descendant of several patriots who fought for America's freedom and independence.
