Governor of Kansas Laura Kelly has not yet set a start date for a special legislative session on tax cuts, despite previously saying she would announce the date last week.
When the Democratic governor vetoed the latest tax cut proposal on May 16, she said in a statement from her office that she would announce the hearing date “next week.” The session is expected to start in June.
But Memorial Day weekend came and went without notice. On Tuesday, the governor’s office reported the delay related to lawmakers’ ability to attend the session.
“Although Governor Kelly expected to announce the date of a special legislative session last week, she continues to have ongoing conversations with legislative leaders about the availability of their caucuses to determine the best date. Governor Kelly plans to announce the date of a special session soon,” Kelly spokesperson Grace Hoge said in a statement.
In setting the special session date, Kelly and top lawmakers must consider whether they can maintain quorums of the House and Senate to conduct business. A majority of the members of both chambers constitutes a quorum.
Kelly has suggested the session could last as little as a day if she reaches an agreement with lawmakers. But the special session ahead of elections this fall could disrupt lawmakers’ campaign if it continues.
Kelly previously vetoed a plan that would have cost between $462 million and $472 million a year, after costing $641 million in the first year. Kelly has called for the total cost of tax cuts to be no higher than roughly $425 million a year, a limit that her aides say includes all tax changes passed by the Legislature, not just this bill.
Top Republican lawmakers have said Kansas can afford $500 million a year. They sharply criticized Kelly’s decision to call a special session instead of signing the latest tax bill. Republican leaders have emphasized that the bill had the support of most Democratic lawmakers.
The veto plan would have set the highest rate for married couples filing jointly at 5.57% and the lowest rate at 5.2%, with $46,000 serving as the dividing line between the two rates. All other taxpayers would be taxed at 5.15% in the lower tax bracket and 5.55% in the upper tax bracket, with $23,000 dividing the two tax brackets.
Where to set income tax brackets — and at what rates — will likely be central to discussions between Kelly and lawmakers, as these parameters determine the overall cost of the package.
It is expected that less controversial tax changes will remain in any proposal. These changes include accelerating the elimination of the state food tax through July 1, in addition to ending taxes on Social Security income.
