By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas state legislative session kicks off 2022 on Monday with a long list of items that will go before lawmakers. As always, the budget will be at the top of the list, according to Rep. Paul Waggoner. The discussion will center around what to do with the current state surplus.
“The finances for the state of Kansas are extremely strong, which is a good thing and also a bad thing,” Waggoner said. “There really is a tendency where the budget funds are coming in strongly . . . that people start getting off on ideas that otherwise would never carry merit as far as spending.”
Much discussion around tax reduction will likely center around the proposal to eliminate sales tax on groceries.
“It’s been much discussed, it has a lot of support across the board,” Waggoner said. “If you would totally eliminate the food sales tax, that’s about $450 million . . . benefit to taxpayers.”
Redistricting around the state will also gather a lot of discussion. Waggoner says there is a lot of room to move boundaries around in central Kansas.
“Certain districts in this area are below the population mark where they should be,” Waggoner said. “The south side district, the 102nd in western Reno County, mine is pretty much where it should be.”
Waggoner says people are very tense about redistricting in the state, but said it will have to happen. Following all of the ceremonies to kick off the session on Monday, Gov. Kelly will give her State of the State Address Tuesday evening.
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