Back a number of years ago, the Democrats and left-leaning Republicans in Topeka sabotaged a tax rate reduction plan by then-Governor Sam Brownback. They blamed big deficits on the tax cuts – when the real culprit was runaway spending in Topeka.
The Kansas experiment became a punching bag for the national media and left-wing advocacy groups wanting to prove that tax cutting is dangerous and irresponsible.
So imagine our pleasant surprise to learn that Kansas has enacted a solid tax cut that shaves the highest income tax rate from 5.7% to 5.58%. The bill would also exempt Social Security benefits from income tax. It’s not perfect: the bill doubles the tax credit for childcare expenses – a provision that discriminates against stay-at-home moms.
Democratic Governor Laura Kelly has pledged to sign the bill.
What a relief that tax cutting is back in style in Kansas.