To the editor:

Gov. Brownback’s proposed tax plan will hurt middle- and lower-income Kansans while rewarding those in the top 20 percent income bracket. Kansans making a million dollars per year would have a tax cut of over $16,000 annually while a working single mother with one child earning $9.60 per hour ($20,000 per year) would have an annual state tax increase of $442.

The Institute on Tax and Economic Policy has shown that, for most Kansans, the proposed tax break from cuts would be offset by the loss of income tax credits and itemized deductions and a higher sales tax rate. Furthermore, the proposed plan ignores the need for increased investment in education, transportation, public safety and other areas crucial to making the state attractive for families and businesses.

Research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities shows those few states without income taxes have high property and sales taxes or other sources of income. Texas has oil and shipping. Florida captures foreign tourist dollars with its sales tax, Wyoming has coal, and Washington state has Microsoft and Boeing.