Democratic leaders in the Kansas Legislature have been tight-lipped about Governor Sam Brownback’s tax and budget proposal, until now. Top Democrats voiced their concerns about the plans at a press conference on Friday.
House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs, from Kansas City, Kansas, said the plan puts a burden on low-income and middle-class Kansans. He also took issue with proposals to divert highway funding and reduce payments to the state pension plan.
“The majority of the governor’s budget proposals are short-term fixes to a long-term, systemic problem,” says Burroughs.
Brownback’s plans would also slow income tax rate cuts and increase taxes on tobacco and liquor to help fill a budget gap.
In a statement, the governor said he’s willing to work with Democrats.
Democrats have a small minority of seats in the Legislature. The Senate’s top Democrat, Anthony Hensley, says they will have a role in the process and their votes could even be needed to pass a compromise.