Topeka ? The retiring Taxation Committee chairman in the Kansas House has taken a job with the state Department of Revenue.

Department spokeswoman Jeannine Koranda said Thursday that Republican Rep. Richard Carlson began working Monday as the agency’s legislative liaison.

Carlson is a 70-year-old farmer and rancher from St. Marys. He was first elected to the House in 2004 but opted not to seek re-election this year. His current, two-year term expires Jan. 12.

Koranda said the department thought Carlson’s expertise would be helpful in dealing with legislators. The $50,000-a-year liaison’s job previously was vacant.

As Taxation Committee chairman, Carlson helped push personal income tax reductions through the Legislature in 2012 and 2013. GOP Gov. Sam Brownback advocated the reductions as a way to stimulate the economy.