The Kansas Senate has spent today debating a bill that would raise taxes to close a projected budget shortfall.
The work started with Republican Sen. Dennis Pyle moving to kill the tax bill, saying increasing taxes is not the way to fix the state’s budget. He wants lawmakers to look for more budget cuts.
“By not raising taxes, you’re going to empower the private sector," Pyle says. "Or are you going to empower big government, are you going to empower more government consumption?”
Other Republicans argued the debate should continue because Senators need to make progress and move towards ending the session.
Pyle’s motion failed on a 25-13 vote.
The bill would increase sales, tobacco and gasoline taxes. It also would also temporarily suspend a 2012 policy that exempts thousands of business owners from paying income taxes.
