Gov Brownback Sales Tax Proposal Doubtful

Republican leaders in the Kansas House say there’s very little support in their chamber for Gov. Sam Brownback’s proposal to raise additional sales tax revenue.

House Speaker Ray Merrick of Stilwell and Majority Leader Jene (jeen) Vickrey of Louisburg said Friday the measure proposed by the Republican governor does not appear viable.

Brownback wants to cancel a decrease in the sales tax scheduled for July. Under current law, the 6.3 percent tax is set to drop to 5.7 percent.

The governor would use the additional revenues to stabilize the state budget so that Kansas can pursue further income tax cuts after massive reductions last year.

Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka and House Democratic Leader Paul Davis of Lawrence said they’re working on tax proposals. They didn’t give details.