Kansas governor Laura Kelly has created a bipartisan council for an 18-month study of the state’s tax system.
The Governor’s Council on Tax Reform will conduct an in-depth study and make recommendations to the legislature on strategies and reforms for a responsible, fair and sustainable tax structure.
The governor said Monday there’s a need for tax reform with adequacy, equity and stability in mind. She wants to return to a “three-legged stool” approach that relies on a balance of income, sales and property tax revenue.
The council will be co-chaired by two former state senators, Republican Steve Morris of Hugoton and Democrat Janis Lee of Kensington. Other council members are from the business community, agriculture, economic development and governmental agencies.
Former Wichita mayor Carl Brewer has been named to the council. Legislative leaders have also been invited to participate, including Senate president Susan Wagle and House minority leader Tom Sawyer, both from Wichita.
The first meeting of the council will be September 24th and 25th in Topeka, and other meetings are scheduled for two-day periods in October, November and December.
