Tagged: taxes

It was an unusual day at the Kansas Statehouse Thursday, as Republicans from the House and Senate gathered to smooth out differences between the two chambers on tax and budget issues. Some lawmakers said it had been at least seven years since Republicans from the two chambers met as a group to discuss policy.

“It’s fun as we go out to our dinners and take potshots at each other almost as if we’re competitors," said Ty Masterson, a Republican from Andover who heads the Kansas Senate budget committee. "But in reality, we’re all part of the same team, we are the legislative branch.”

A top Kansas Democrat is criticizing Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and GOP legislative leaders for holding private talks to resolve tax issues.

Kansas legislators are on a month-long break, having left behind a budget still considered a work in progress and more possible changes to the state tax code.

Lawmakers adjourned late Friday having approved several issues after more than a week of negotiations. But many of the spending cuts favored by the majority of Republicans remain in play.

One area is higher education. The Senate is recommending a 4 percent cut for state universities and community colleges. The House favors a 2 percent cut.

Negotiators for the Kansas House and Senate say agreement on a plan for more cuts in income taxes is unlikely until May.

A select group of lawmakers from the Kansas House and Senate started negotiations on tax legislation Wednesday.