photo by: Contributed

Chris Courtwright

A retired chief economist for the Kansas Legislature and member of Gov. Laura Kelly’s Council on Tax Reform will give a presentation and answer questions related to property taxes at an event this weekend in downtown Lawrence.

What is a mill? How are property appraisals determined? Chris Courtwright will discuss these and other issues at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lawrence Arts Center’s Studio A, 10th and Massachusetts streets (entrance on 10th Street). Doors will open and free coffee will be available at 9:30 a.m.

During his 35-year career serving the Legislature, Courtwright oversaw the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, which provides baseline forecasts to policymakers, and played a major role in quantifying and analyzing multiple policy options during tax debates. The author of “Kansas Tax Facts,” he received the President’s Award from the Government Finance Officers’ Association for his role as a top public sector economist.

Since retiring, he has continued to serve as an informal consultant regarding the state budget and tax policy. In 2024, he was elected as one of Kansas’ 39 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Courtwright’s presentation is part of the Third Saturday Seminar Series offered by the Douglas County Democrats.