NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Chamber on Thursday released its 2024 Legislative and Policy Agenda, laying out its priorities for the upcoming legislative session. One of those is reducing taxes, as the state has a large amount of money in the bank right now.
"Broadly, our goal is to get Kansas into a more competitive position to continue to attract investment into the state and grow the state and grow investment here," Stafford said. "Specifically focusing on what was the effort last year from House and Senate Republican Leadership, to get Kansas in a position where we adopt a single income tax rate."
The bill passed both houses in 2023, but was vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly in April. The Chamber also wants to be careful that sales tax carve outs are limited.
"Our philosophy that we try to push is broaden the base, lower the rate," Stafford said. "Tax more at a lower rate, especially on the sales tax side."
Sales tax on groceries is currently being phased out and will be to 0% in 2025 if there are no policy changes.
"Our state sales tax rate of 6.5% [for all other items], when you combine it with local, it's top ten in the country in terms of sales tax burden," Stafford said. "How can we get a lower sales tax burden?"
Input for the agenda is gathered from the Chamber member task groups and in-person meetings throughout the state, as well as from research from its Annual Business Leaders Poll, Kansas Tax Modernization report, and the Kansas Competitiveness Analysis report.
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