Brownback Backs a Tax Hike

Kansas Governor-elect Sam ­Brownback said last week the Legislature should not act to repeal the recent increase in the state sales tax until revenue collections improve.

“We’re short of resources for the state, and I don’t think it’s something that we should be doing at this time,” Brownback said at a news conference in Topeka. “Our fiscal situation is not stable.”

The latest revenue estimate from the Consensus Estimating Group for fiscal 2012 warns of a potential $492 million revenue shortfall.

“We’ve got to balance our budget,” Brownback said.

The current Republican U.S. senator said he opposes the practice of borrowing state agency fund balances to balance the general fund during the fiscal year.

The sales tax rate went to 6.3% on July 1 from 5.3% under a tax plan approved by the 2010 Legislature.

The rate will drop to 5.7% in 2013, with the remaining 0.4% of the increase going to fund a 10-year, $8.2 billion transportation program.

The rate increase is expected to generate $314 million in fiscal 2011 and more than $370 million in fiscal 2012.

Rep. Owen Donohoe, R-Shawnee, sent a letter to Republican House members last week urging the repeal of the tax hike as a top priority for the GOP majority.

 Republicans picked up 16 seats at the Nov. 2 election, giving them 92 members in the 125-seat House. They also control the Senate.

“With the sweeping mandate of the Kansas voters, we have a rare opportunity to effect substantial legislation that reflects fiscal and family values in the next session,” Donohue wrote.

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