Southwest

The fiscal 2013 spending plan outlined last week by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback would use $70 million of gambling revenue from two new casinos for debt service or early retirement of state bonds.

DALLAS — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback Wednesday said he will seek a lowering of the state income tax rate that would eliminate 23 tax deductions, including charitable donations, home loans and local property taxes.

DALLAS — Leaders of the Democratic minority in the Kansas Legislature proposed a plan Tuesday to draw on projected budget surpluses and increase state aid to local education.

DALLAS — As New Mexico celebrates its centennial year, lawmakers will gather in Santa Fe next week to consider Gov. Susana Martinez's proposed $5.61 billion budget.

DALLAS — The Wichita, Kan., City Council began the process Tuesday that could result in $50 million of sales tax and revenue bonds for a multi-sport amateur athletic complex in the city.

DALLAS — Two years after Arizona mortgaged state buildings to cover operating costs, the Legislature opened Monday with hopes of paying down that debt.

Colorado will take bids on $230 million of education-tax revenue anticipation notes Tuesday as the legislature prepares to consider a steadily improving economy and unresolved litigation over school funding.

Last week’s report from Oklahoma’s Task Force on Comprehensive Tax Reform said the state’s top personal income tax should be cut by 0.5% over the next two years from a ceiling of 5.25% in 2012 to 4.75% by 2014.

A Kansas City developer Tuesday will present the Wichita City Council with a plan for $50 million of bonds for a large indoor sports field house as part of a larger project in northeast Wichita.

Trustees of the Sedgwick County Unified School District 260 have called an election on April 3 for bonds to finance system-wide upgrades.