Legislative Forum Discusses Budget and Its Impact
Garden City, KS (westernkansasnews.com) The main topics were taxes and the economy at Wednesday night’s legislative coffee forum from St. Catherine Hospital and sponsored by the Garden City Chamber of Commerce. State Representative Don Hineman of Dighton wonders if the recent increase in the state sales tax might push consumers elsewhere.
Representative Russ Jennings of Lakin believes Governor Brownback has become a victim of his own philosophy to eliminate the income tax.
Just because the legislative session ended does not mean the battle over school funding has done the same. Representative Jennings indicated there is a silver lining if what he expects happens.
On the other hand, Jennings is also realistic about this.
The increased sales tax was one item everyone noticed, but there were other parts of the bill that passed which did not receive as much attention. State Representative Don Hineman of Dighton is concerned about a lid on how much local governments can raise property taxes.
Hineman also reacted to an increase tax on e-cigs.
Hineman says he has talked with people who are feeling healthier by using e-cigs, but regrets they have to pay a higher tax.
*On-air story*
