GOP-led Kansas House rejects Democratic tax proposal

? The Republican-controlled Kansas House has rejected a Democratic proposal for keeping local property taxes in check.

The plan called for the state to provide $45 million to local governments during the fiscal year that begins in July, to replace property tax revenues. The state used to provide such aid every year but stopped after 2008 because of budget problems.

The House defeated the proposal Tuesday on a 76-41 vote.

Democratic Rep. Jim Ward, of Wichita, offered the plan as an amendment to a bill making a technical change in property tax laws. The House advanced the measure without his amendment.

On Monday, the House Taxation Committee endorsed a GOP plan for cutting the state sales tax and individual income taxes. Some Republicans said Ward’s plan hadn’t been thoroughly vetted.