Topeka ? State Senate President Steve Morris has named a former Kansas legislator and six other people to a group that will study proposals for reducing taxes.

Morris created the panel anticipating a debate next year over cutting taxes.

The Hugoton Republican’s appointments include Overland Park resident Barbara Allen, a former chairwoman of the Senate tax committee.

Other appointees are Kansas University accounting professor Allen Ford; Hawker Beechcraft taxation director Lisa Haffner; Newton City Commissioner Willis Heck; Salina Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Dennis Lauver; Garden City manufacturing company owner Cecil O’Brate; and Satanta certified public accountant Ronald Shortridge.

The group also includes five state senators and plans to start meeting Jan. 13, two days after Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is to release a tax plan.