State of Kansas Archives: on Tax Reform
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
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
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
Derek Schmidt:
Sued to allow COVID relief funds use for state tax relief
[On coronavirus relief]: "The federal court's ruling ensures that tax relief enacted earlier this year by the Kansas Legislature over Governor Kelly's veto will remain in effect and will not result in the Biden administration demanding that Kansas
return some of its federal COVID-19 relief funds," Schmidt said. "It also clears the way for Kansas to adopt our bipartisan recommendations to eliminate or significantly reduce the state's sales tax on groceries without fear of federal reprisal."
Source: AG press release on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Nov 16, 2021
Derek Schmidt:
Zero out taxes on Social Security, retirement income
Schmidt proposed elimination of state tax on benefits and income from Social Security, IRAs, annuities and other retirement vehicles to curtail population outmigration from Kansas. Schmidt said the recommended incentive package would be blended with
existing income tax exemptions to help retain or attract retirees."To every retiree considering leaving Kansas, and to every retiree in another state looking to move, we're going to give you another reason to remain or return to Kansas by helping you
retire tax free."
Schmidt said the proposal would zero out state income tax on Social Security retirement benefits, out-of-state public pensions, private pension benefits, defined benefit retirement plans, defined contribution retirement plans like
401(k)s, retirement annuities, individual retirement accounts, retirement plans maintained or contributed to by an employer, and deferred compensation retirement plans or any earnings attributable to a deferred compensation plan.
Source: The Kansas Reflector on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Jun 22, 2022
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
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
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
Jerry Moran:
Inflation Reduction Act will raise taxes on working families
[On newly-passed spending bill]: "The idea that spending more money and increasing taxes will be helpful in combating inflation is false and confirmed by the Congressional Budget Office. Rather than taking steps to curb spending and expand energy
production, the so-called Inflation Reduction Act will raise taxes on small businesses and working families, including by hiring 87,000 more IRS agents to target more Americans with tax audits."
Source: Associated Press on WIBW TV-13 on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Aug 7, 2022
Joan Farr:
Higher taxes on the wealthy
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Higher taxes on the wealthy"?
A: SUPPORT
Source: OnTheIssues.org interview on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Dec 10, 2021
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
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
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
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
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
Laura Kelly:
$250 tax rebate to every Kansan who filed in 2021
Because we've managed the budget so responsibly, I was proud to announce that every working Kansan who filed taxes in 2021 will get a $250 dollar rebate this year - $500 dollars for married couples filing jointly. That's money back in
your pocket to pay for child care, to take your family on a minivacation, or to buy groceries.For years, many of us, on both sides of the aisle, have been calling for an end to the state's sales tax on food.
Now, with this surplus in the bank and increased revenue, we can finally eliminate the grocery sales tax. The essence of the bill can be summed up in 13 words:
We hereby eliminate the state sales tax on food in Kansas, effective immediately. Send me a clean, bi-partisan bill, that eliminates the state sales tax on food by Kansas Day, January 29th. I'll sign it the moment it hits my desk.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature
Jan 11, 2022
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
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:
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:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Laura Kelly:
Axe the tax on groceries, diapers, feminine hygiene products
We began, last year, by finally axing the sales tax on food but it doesn't zero-out until 2025. So the very first thing we must do this session is fully eliminate it, effective immediately. There is no reason that Kansans should ever look down at
their grocery receipts and see this tax. Folks can't afford it. Folks don't deserve it. And there's no need to wait for 2025. Let's end it now. But let's not stop at food, let's also axe the state sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature
Jan 24, 2023
Laura Kelly:
Before we know it the state food tax won't exist at all
We came together--Republicans and Democrats--to do even more: we axed the food tax. Just last week, we saw the food tax reduced again--putting an additional $150 million dollars back into the pockets of Kansans.
Before we know it, the food tax won't exist at all. In 2025--or, perhaps, even sooner--it will be totally axed, gone, never to be levied again.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Kansas legislature
Jan 10, 2024
Laura Kelly:
A flat tax benefits the super wealthy & threatens progress
We must get that money back into Kansans' pockets--and we will--in a fiscally responsible and targeted way. In a way that doesn't threaten progress on all the other issues Kansans care about--our schools, our roads, foster care. And unfortunately, that's
exactly what one proposal--the flat tax--would do. The flat tax came up last year, and I expect it'll come up again this year, despite the fact that it only benefits the super wealthy while doing little to nothing for working, middle class Kansans.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Kansas legislature
Jan 10, 2024
Laura Kelly:
I've signed into law $2 billion in tax cuts
As of two weeks ago, no Kansan is paying state sales taxes on groceries. It took a while, but we finally got it done. There is more tax relief on its way. In total, I've signed into law $2 billion in tax cuts. It wasn't easy, but together, we made it
happen for Kansans. This April, seniors won't pay any state income tax on their Social Security. A higher standard deduction will ensure that Kansans pay less when they file their taxes. And we lowered the tax that everyone hates--the property tax.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature
Jan 15, 2025
Cindy Holscher:
Repeal business exemption, increase personal income tax
Democratic state Rep. Cindy Holscher campaigned and voted for a dramatic shift in Kansas tax and budget priorities during the 2017 legislative session. The Johnson County representative embraced repeal of an income tax exemption to owners of
330,000 businesses and endorsed an increase in the state's personal income tax to close a budget deficit. Both tax reforms were opposed by outgoing Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Aug 10, 2017
Jeff Colyer:
Wants to cut taxes, bring high-paying jobs to Kansas
[Campaign announcement]: "As your governor, more Kansans were working than ever before," Colyer said in the video. "I took a scalpel to wasteful spending and with law enforcement, we kept our community safe.
I stood shoulder to shoulder with President Trump to get the job done." Colyer said his focus is to cut taxes and bring high-paying manufacturing and tech jobs to the Sunflower State.
Source: KSNT (NBC News) on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race
May 14, 2025
Ty Masterson:
Keep cutting taxes until Kansas is most affordable
END THE KANSAS TAX SQUEEZE: Kansas has become the 16th highest taxed state in the country. We are taxing workers, families, and seniors out. In the Legislature, I led efforts to pass a $2 billion tax cut for Kansans.
As governor, I will keep cutting taxes until Kansas is one of the most affordable states to work, raise a family, and start a business.
Source: 2026 Kansas Governor campaign site MastersonForGovernor.com
Dec 15, 2025
Vicki Schmidt:
Regrets 2012 vote cutting taxes on wealthy individuals
In 2012, Schmidt voted for a bill slashing state income taxes. It was signed by Gov. Sam Brownback under the mistaken belief that lowering the tax burden on wealthy individuals would unleash trickle-down economic forces beneficial to all.
Over the subsequent five years before repeal, revenue to the state treasury cratered. "It is a vote I regret," Schmidt said in an interview for the Kansas Reflector podcast. "There were a lot of Republicans, including me, that did vote for that."
Source: Kansas Reflector on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Jul 21, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026