June 18, 2024 in Topeka.
Good News from Topeka! We are finally going to get an income tax reduction. The Kansas Legislature passed a new tax bill that reduces the number of rates from three to two. It reduces the top rate from 5.7 percent to 5.58 percent. Not huge but a step forward. The new bill also eliminates income tax on Social Security benefits and expands the credit for childcare. The Governor has agreed to sign the bill.
Income tax relief was one of two F3 (Freedom, Federalism and Fundamental Rights) legislative measures actively supported by Kansas Convention of States Action. The other bill was the measure to require the federal government to get approval of the Kansas Legislature to designate Kansas land as a National Heritage Area or National Trail. We see the federal government using these designations to assert control over private land without any local oversight, bypassing local government. That bill, SB370, did not make it to the Senate floor after passing in committee.
Also Today.
Activists from the Eastern Kansas Region met in Olathe and heard from Regional Director Deanna Becket. Deanna is barnstorming across the country to spend time with the states in the Wild West Region, from Kansas to Idaho and everywhere in between. They also heard about grassroots activity in the works for 2024.
