Kansas governor schedules event to outline new tax plan

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback has scheduled another news conference to outline a new plan for raising taxes to close a projected budget shortfall.

Brownback set the event for Saturday morning.

The Republican governor told top GOP lawmakers Friday that he has a plan for erasing a $406 million shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

He scheduled a news conference for Friday evening but canceled it just before it was to begin. He refused later to discuss details of his plan with The Associated Press.

Legislators are considering proposals to raise sales, business, tobacco and even gasoline taxes, but Republicans who control the Legislature are sharply divided.

The state’s budget problems arose after lawmakers slashed income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback’s urging to stimulate the economy.