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Kansas Lawmakers May Resume Talks On Increasing Taxes

Stephen Koranda file photo

Kansas legislators may resume negotiations over raising taxes to close a budget shortfall amid warnings about potential spending cuts from a top adviser to Gov. Sam Brownback.

Three senators and three House members scheduled a Tuesday meeting but didn't commit to talks.

The Senate has approved a bill increasing sales and cigarette taxes to help raise $423 million for the fiscal year beginning July 1. But many House members think it would fail in their chamber.

The budget gap arose after lawmakers slashed income taxes at Brownback's urging in 2012 and 2013 to stimulate the economy.

Budget Director Shawn Sullivan told some House Republicans on Monday that without higher taxes, Brownback would likely make across-the-board spending cuts. Sullivan said prison guards would be laid off and aid to schools reduced.

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