Topeka ? The statewide Kansas Chamber of Commerce on Thursday criticized 14 local chambers for supporting a tax increase to help solve the current budget crisis.

Kent Beisner, the interim president and chief executive officer of the Kansas Chamber, accused the local chambers of throwing “businesses under the bus.”

He said a survey of business leaders showed they overwhelming believe reducing the cost of business is the best growth strategy for the state.

“The tax burden on businesses remained the No. 1 concern facing employers in Kansas,” Beisner said.

On Wednesday, the leaders of 14 local chambers of commerce sent a letter to Gov. Mark Parkinson and legislative leaders, saying that they supported “rational state revenue enhancements” to help fill a nearly $500 million revenue shortfall.

The state has already cut about $1 billion from the budget, and officials are at an impasse over whether to make more cuts or increase taxes.

The local chamber leaders said quality public schools, higher education and transportation were keys to helping the economy. Fixing the budget mess through cuts alone would have a devastating impact, they said.

The chambers that signed the letter were Arkansas City, Dodge City, Emporia Area, Grant County, Greater Kansas City, Greater Topeka, Hutchinson-Reno County, Hays Area, Kansas City, Kan., Manhattan Area, Northeast Johnson County, Olathe, Overland Park, and Salina Area.

Beisner said that the letter from 14 chambers represented a minority of the 80 local chapters in Kansas. He said raising taxes is not the answer because state revenues will be down for several years “so the state will be in a perpetual cycle of trying to raise taxes each legislative session to make up for years of overspending.”