State of Kansas Archives: on Tax Reform
Dave Lindstrom:
Draconian taxation robs the economy of incentives
Draconian taxation robs the economy of incentives for citizens to participate in working, in starting businesses, in creating products and services and in creating jobs. Over time, as history has demonstrated everywhere socialism has spread,
poverty becomes the order of the day, corrupt domineering governments abuse their people and the remaining wealth becomes concentrated in the hands of a few, generally, government-connected hacks.
Dave will work to enact real tax simplification to protect our freedoms, increase incomes, create jobs and opportunities and reduce the footprint of government in our lives. My plan is true reform with a true, understandable flat tax; no bells,
no whistles and NO LOOPHOLES. I support a simple flat tax plan for individuals and for corporate filers. Loopholes would be sewed shut by retaining only the most commonly utilized deductions.
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website LindstromForSenate.com
May 31, 2020
Barbara Bollier:
Instead of corporate tax breaks, provide middle class relief
Barbara believes that everyone should pay their fair share. And rather than giving deficit-increasing tax breaks to big corporations and those who need help the least, we should provide relief to middle-class, working families.
She knows we must spend responsibly, pay our bills and keep the promises already made to Americans.
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website BollierForKansas.com
May 28, 2020
Laura Kelly:
Lowering state taxes on groceries a top priority
Rebuilding fiscal stability in Kansas state government has been one of my top priorities as governor. I will submit to you a balanced budget that continues our rebuilding efforts, that continues to pay down debt, and that honors my promise to cut taxes.
Kansas families are taxed more for food than anywhere else in the United States. I've always considered lowering the tax on groceries an urgent need.
Source: 2020 Kansas State of the State address
Jan 16, 2020
Jake LaTurner:
Balance the budget; no tax Increases
Washington has failed Kansas for too long. Conservatives are fed up with politicians only worrying about keeping power, while our freedoms and values are under assault. As your US Senator, I pledge:Balance the Budget,
No Tax Increases: $21 trillion in Federal debt and counting. Politicians in DC have been talking about this for years and it's only getting worse. I will not vote for a budget without a plan to reduce our debt. The Trump tax-cuts are working and rates sh
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website LaTurnerForSenate.com
Jul 19, 2019
Sam Brownback:
Let states collect windfall from federal tax changes
State Senate President Susan Wagle championed a bill that would have cut $500 million in taxes over three years by preventing the state from collecting a windfall created by federal tax changes, which she said was intended to enact the Trump tax cuts in
Kansas. She rejected the Democratic arguments that the bill, which would have also created tax breaks for businesses, was a retread of former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's economic experiment.
Wagle clashed with Brownback during his second term when the GOP governor resisted changes to his tax plan in the face of plummeting state revenues. But she ultimately did not vote to override Brownback's veto in 2017 to repeal the tax cuts.
"We can't have extremism. I mean, Gov. Brownback had the march to zero and he wasn't willing to tweak it and make it more workable and Gov. Kelly wants to grab every dime she can get. And we need a happy middle," Wagle said.
Source: Wichita Eagle on Kansas legislature voting record
Apr 17, 2019
Susan Wagle:
$500M tax cut: no state windfall from federal tax changes
Wagle spent the first weeks of the session championing a bill that would have cut $500 million in taxes over three years by preventing the state from collecting a windfall created by federal tax changes.Wagle appointed herself chair of the committee
that crafted the bill, which she said was intended to enact the Trump tax cuts in Kansas. Kelly vetoed the measure which would have allowed Kansans to itemize deductions on their state income taxes even if they don't itemize their federal returns.
"I've had a lot of calls in the last two weeks from Kansans who are complaining about paying more in Kansas income tax than they're paying in the federal tax," Wagle said.
She rejected the Democratic arguments that the bill,
which would have also created tax breaks for businesses, was a retread of former Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's economic experiment.
Source: Wichita Eagle on Kansas legislature voting record
Apr 17, 2019
Laura Kelly:
No more tax cuts; restore balance to the tax system
The Brownback years, and the disastrous set of tax cuts that he and conservative lawmakers championed, resulted in underfunded schools, a crippled highway program and a child welfare system so underfunded that it threatens the very children it's
supposed to protect. Kelly has plans to tackle all 3 of those issues. She has pledged to restore balance to the state's tax system by returning to its traditional "3-legged stool" that relies roughly equally on income, sales and property taxes.
Source: Kansas City Star endorsement: 2018 Kansas governor race
Jul 12, 2018
Kris Kobach:
Cut taxes; cut budget
The legislature just passed a disastrous $1.2 billion tax increase. Topeka does not need more money and Kansas taxpayers do not need to pay higher taxes. While state spending was increasing, my office reduced its budget from $7 million to $4.7 million.
We didn't cut services. We took on additional responsibilities by modernizing our office procedures, utilizing electronic communications, and modeling our office after the private sector.
Source: 2018 Kansas Governor website Kobach2018.com
Aug 17, 2017
Kris Kobach:
Keep tax cuts despite state's budget hole
Kobach promised to center his campaign on fighting "corruption, taxation and illegal immigration." He lambasted Kansas lawmakers for raising taxes "on hard-working Kansans" by repealing
Gov. Sam Brownback's tax cuts to fill the state's budget hole and contended that the state could have saved dollars by restricting immigration.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 8, 2017
Sam Brownback:
2012 "march to zero" income tax cuts overturned
Lawmakers rolled back Gov. Sam Brownback's signature tax policy over his objections, forcing into law tax increases to fix a budget shortfall and provide more money for schools. The legislation ends the "march to zero" income tax cuts that
Brownback heralded for much of his time as governor. Income taxes will rise across the board but most tax rates will remain lower than they were before the 2012 tax cuts. The increases are expected to generate more than $1.2 billion for the state
over the next two years.
The Senate and House voted 27-13 and 88-31, respectively, to override Brownback's veto. Brownback did not respond immediately to the override votes. The night before, he had said he would veto and issued a statement: "Senate
Bill 30 is a $1.2 billion tax hike, making it the largest in state history. This is bad for Kansas and bad for the many Kansans who would have more of their hard-earned money taken from them."
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Jun 6, 2017
Jeff Colyer:
Low taxes & smallest possible government
When it comes to overall conservatism, one score tells you a whole lot. Americans for Prosperity, the ultra-conservative political organization founded by the billionaire Koch brothers of Wichita, gives Colyer a lifetime score of 97 percent.
Colyer, Brownback and the Kochs are soul mates. The Kochs, above all, stand for the lowest taxes possible and the smallest government, bordering on no government except for defense.
Source: Kansas City Star OpEd on 2018 Kansas governor race
May 26, 2017
Wink Hartman:
Simplify the tax-code and promote pro-growth policies
In recent years, dysfunction in Topeka has dampened that innovative spirit. Political gridlock has provided instability and an uncertain future to the small-businesses and farms that fuel the Kansas Economy. As a businessman--not a politician--
I know what it takes to create jobs and grow companies. If elected, I will work every day to eliminate burdensome regulations, simplify the tax-code and promote pro-growth policies that make Kansas the best place in the country to do business.
Source: 2018 Kansas governor campaign website HartmanForKansas.com
May 2, 2017
Ron Estes:
Simplified, fairer, flatter tax code grows the economy
Individuals in the private sector grow the economy, not the government. A simplified, fairer, flatter tax code free of ad-hoc deductions and tax breaks will relieve the burden placed on
American families and reign in the power of the IRS bureaucracy. Rolling back this authority and reforming our tax code will transfer power from the IRS bureaucrats back to the taxpayers.
Source: 2017 Kansas House campaign website EstesForCongress.com
Apr 11, 2017
Patrick Wiesner:
As CPA, I'll be the Senate expert on the tax code
Patrick has been in private law practice for 23 years. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. His practice is focused on solving tax and debt problems. Patrick intends to be the Senate expert on the tax code. His experience working with businesses and
families trying to comply with tax law gives Patrick the real-world expertise the Senate needs to write the revenue code that is fair to all taxpayers, is simple to understand, and generates the funds necessary to run the government without deficits.
Patrick will advocate for three immediate changes. The first is to adequately fund the Treasury Department with a focus on the IRS.
The second is to emphasize prevention of running up balances due rather than collection of past due taxes. The third is to remove the subsidy code from the tax code.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate website, WiesnerForSenate
Apr 1, 2016
Sam Brownback:
Strengthen property tax lid
Since 1999, when the property tax lid was lifted, Kansans have seen those tax rates increased by 24 percent, and property tax revenue increase by 92%. Understandably, people do not like this. Last year, you acted to place a lid on
property taxes--that was a positive step. I would welcome legislation that strengthens the property tax lid by closing the existing loopholes and puts it in place sooner.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Kansas legislature
Jan 12, 2016
Randall Batson:
Strongly opposes higher taxes on the wealthy
Q: Do you support or oppose higher taxes on the wealthy?
A: Strongly Oppose.
Source: Email interview on Kansas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 19, 2014
Chad Taylor:
Simplify tax code, but no FairTax and no national sales tax
Q: What's your tax policy?A: Taxes should be "simplified and transparent," where the purpose of transparency is to show how taxpayers' money is actually spent. Tax forms should be 2 pages: your tax form on one side, and how your taxes are spent on the
other side.
Q: Some specific policy changes?
A: We would eliminate loopholes for special interests. We would create a tax holiday for repatriation of overseas corporate funds, if those funds are used for R&D, physical plant, pensions, or job creation
Q: The term "simplification" usually implies lowering taxes--is that what you mean?
A: Yes, that is a fair characterization, but "simplification" means that the tax code should not be 70,000 pages. Taxes should be easier to do for taxpayers, and
should not require a paid professional to do them.
Q: Does "simplification" include schemes for reducing the number of tax rates?
A: No, we do not support policies like the FairTax, nor a national sales tax, nor any other policies like those.
Source: Phone interview: 2014 Kansas Senate race OnTheIssues
Sep 3, 2014
Randall Batson:
Replace income tax with FairTax national sales tax
Taxes should only be voluntary; at point of consumption of new goods, and services only.Repeal the 16th amendment. Replace with the FairTax; this national sales tax replaces most federal taxes. Currently, embedded taxes result in overpricing all items
in the market. Once transitioned to the FairTax, prices would drop while at the same time boosting peoples' paychecks. Unlike the proposed inclusive rate of 23%, with payroll deduction choice mentioned earlier, the FairTax could be lowered to 9%.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign site batson4senate.weebly.com
Aug 31, 2014
Patrick Wiesner:
Rewrite a new simpler tax code, but hire more IRS staff
Q: What are the top three issues on which you would focus during your term?A: As Senator, I will start my work on setting budget policy so that we generate surpluses and not deficits; this will give us revenue to pay off our national debt.
Second, our tax code needs attention so that compliance is easy. Third, we need to keep lobbyists from drafting laws.
Q: What actions would you take to address the tax issues?
A: Two immediate problems come to mind. First, in my tax practice,
I found the IRS does not have enough resources to accomplish its revenue collection mission. They need more people. Also, contrary to recent public discussion, the IRS has a culture of integrity and is committed to excellence in customer service.
Second, a new simpler code is needed. The current version is complicated and hard to comply with. As Senator, I will write the new code.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
Patrick Wiesner:
Tax attorney and CPA
I am a life-long Kansan and live in Lawrence. I grew up in Ellis, attended Colby Community College, and received my degree in accounting from Fort Hays, and law degree from KU.I am a tax attorney and CPA.
I own the Overland Park law firm of Wiesner & Frackowiak. I am an Army reserve veteran with 21 years of service.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
Patrick Wiesner:
A new simpler code is needed; but IRS needs more staff
Our tax code needs attention so that compliance is easy. Two immediate problems come to mind. First, in my tax practice, I found the IRS does not have enough resources to accomplish its revenue collection mission. They need more people. Also, contrary to
recent public discussion, the IRS has a culture of integrity and is committed to excellence in customer service. Second, a new simpler code is needed. The current version is complicated and hard to comply with. As Senator, I will write the new code.
Source: Emporia Gazette on 2016 Kansas Senate race
Aug 2, 2014
Jerry Moran:
Voted for tax increases 12 times, and against 200 times
Rep. Todd Tiahrt continued to blast Rep. Jerry Moran for what Tiahrt said was Moran's "compromises" on taxes, saying Moran voted 12 times for tax increases. Moran responded by saying he voted against taxes more than 200 times and stressed his opposition
to all the bailout measures of the past few years.Tiahrt said Moran voted against the Bush tax cuts of 2003. "Those are very disingenuous statements," Moran said. In fact, Moran voted against an earlier budget resolution that included the tax cuts but
voted in favor of the final version of tax cuts that passed.
To that, Tiahrt said again, "I'm glad Congressman Moran agrees he voted against the Bush tax cuts." Moran shot back, "Never voted against the Bush tax cuts."
Tiahrt pointed to what he said
were Moran's 12 votes to increase taxes. Moran has continually said he voted against tax increases more than 200 times during his career. No matter, Tiahrt said. "Now is not the time for those who will compromise on taxes," he said.
Source: KSNT-TV coverage of 2010 Kansas Senate GOP Primary Debate
Jul 6, 2010
Mark Parkinson:
Raise cigarette and sales tax to meet $400M budget gap
The recession has devastated state revenues. We have cut $1 billion out of the state budget. We are way beyond the point of cutting waste. We face another budget hole of almost $400 million. We are $400 million short of what we need to keep most of these
budgets at their already drastically cut levels.Here is my plan to come up with the $400 million--we need to raise two taxes. We must take the cigarette and tobacco tax from 79 cents a pack and raise it to the national average of $1.34. Not only will
this allow us to raise revenue, it has the added benefit of reducing teen smoking. We must also raise our sales tax by one cent for a temporary period of 36 months. A temporary increase of just one cent allows us to fund our programs at the
minimum acceptable levels while we work our way out of this recession. I am then proposing that after the third year the tax retreat, leaving just two tenths of a cent in place that would be available to craft a moderate but necessary highway program.
Source: 2010 Kansas State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2010
Kathleen Sebelius:
Allow overdue taxes to be paid without penalty
The FAIR SHARE program we initiated last year also has paid big dividends. Too many Kansans owed back taxes and hadn’t paid them for years.
Offering those citizens a one-time chance to pay what they owed without penalty generated almost $54 million in back taxes. That’s money we never would have seen if we had simply continued our “business-as-usual” approach to tax collections.
Source: 2004 State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Kathleen Sebelius:
Modernize tax incentive programs for start-up businesses
Our Economic Revitalization plan includes a proposal to modernize our tax incentive programs to make them work better for the businesses they are designed to serve. Kansas will compete more effectively for jobs and attract companies that offer the best-
paying jobs. Under our plan, high potential start-up companies can sell their tax credits to already established businesses. It’s a win-win situation: start-up businesses receive needed infusions of cash & already profitable Kansas companies save money.
Source: 2004 State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Kathleen Sebelius:
Create tax credit for rural business development
Our plan pays special attention to rural Kansas. It creates a Rural Business Development Tax Credit that will ensure that investments are made in viable job-producing businesses, many of which will be tied to agriculture. Our Revitalization Program also
extends funding for the Enterprise Facilitation program now nurturing businesses in 24 Kansas counties. So far, this program, which helps communities help themselves, has sparked the creation or expansion of nearly 70 businesses in rural areas.
Source: 2004 State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature
Jan 12, 2004
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021