Left- and right-leaning finance experts say Kansas tax changes worst in country over past two years

Posted by Scott Rothschild April 11, 2013 at 5:26 p.m.

Left- and right-leaning finance experts say Kansas tax changes worst in country over past two years

The tax changes approved last year with only Republican support and signed into law by Gov. Sam Brownback are being called the worst tax measures passed by a state in the last two years.

That's according to an article in Governing magazine link textthat quotes right- and left-leaning financial experts.

Exempting from taxes pass-through income for business owners provides "an incentive to game the tax system without doing anything productive for the economy," said Joseph Henchman with the Tax Foundation.

Nick Johnson with the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said the tax package "fails both vertical and horizontal equity tests." And he said the size of the cut was so "jaw-dropping" it will prevent the state from making investments in education and infrastructure.

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WilburM 8 months ago

Sam Brownback, bringing the Left and Right together!!! Let the Dave Trabbert/KPI counterattacks begin!

Not only are the policies bad, but the process (such as it is) is terrible. No serious deliberation, no consideration of multiple viewpoints, just ideology and a complete contempt for government, unless it involves regulating women's bodies.

Greg Cooper 8 months ago

People, please read the "link text" included in the article. It is astounding that what many of us on this forum have been saying is mirrored in the article.

If you do not believe the assertions in the article, google the principals interviewed. No politics involved, this is just a simply factual article about a simply "simple-minded" attempt at tax reform disguising business-friendly, citizen-unfriendly political maneuvering.

Governor Brownback, please respond, and not with "the legislature did it, not I".

Mr. Trabert, don't even try to spin this one.

chootspa 8 months ago

The bad score from both sides means it was a terrible thing for taxpayers.

Patricia Davis 8 months ago

And when will all of this "bad scoring" affect Kansas bond rates?

chootspa 8 months ago

Right about when they try to use them to bail out KPERS.

elliottaw 8 months ago

Please read up on economics before you try to comment on them, this comment makes no sense if you have even read the basic articles in the economy or paid a little attention in civics class.

tomatogrower 8 months ago

He hasn't even paid attention to recent history. This recession started before Obama was president and there's a congress who refuses to change the policies, their policies, that led up to this mess over that last several years. They want to keep it business as usual, because the stock market is doing just fine.

rvjayhawk, we know you were asleep in your US government class. The president is not all powerful. He needs the Congress to work with him to change things.

Hooligan_016 8 months ago

by Hooligan_016

jafs 8 months ago

Wow.

You don't often see both left and right leaning economists criticizing something like this - it must be really awful.

msezdsit 8 months ago

..."worst tax measures passed by a state in the last two years."

Lets see, that would be 50th worst tax measure in two years and headed for the worst in the last 10years . something we can be proud of and crumble with.

..."an incentive to game the tax system without doing anything productive for the economy," said Joseph Henchman

And of course that is what it takes to grow business in the state.

"jaw-dropping" it will prevent the state from making investments in education and infrastructure.

We don't have to worry about infrastructure, someone else did that, we didn't build it. Education will still be available to those that matter so let that crumble to.

Nani700 8 months ago

We didn't need financial experts to tell us we are going to hell in a handbasket! Anyone who pays attention to the workings of this administration knows. WilburM said it well. Nice to have both sides agree, unfortunately the agreement is on how horrible the outlook is for Kansas! All the more reason to get out the common sense vote next year, if we survive ,and if KKK doesn't attempt to supress the voting process.

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