Senate President Ty Masterson is pushing for reinstating the Kansas food tax relief, arguing that it would help reduce poverty and stimulate the economy.
Kansas Reflector pointed out that the flat tax proposal, which would cut the income tax rate for all pay bands to 4.75% at an anticipated cost of around $566 million in the next calendar year, was approved by the Senate Tax Committee as he made his appeal.
This representation photo shows grocery items as an official wants the Kansas Food Tax Relief back. (Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay)
Choosing healthful foods is not the aim, according to Masterson. He added that there are other ways to pay for tax reductions.
CBS News recently reported that Democratic governor of Kansas Laura Kelly wants to lower income taxes on Social Security and abolish sales taxes on items like food, diapers, and feminine hygiene products, among other things. Republican legislators are attempting to enact a flat income tax rate for citizens of the state.
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Republican Wants to Return The Kansas Food Tax Relief to Afford Flat Tax Plan
Raw Story said the state sales tax on food would be gradually eliminated under Masterson’s plan in reinstating the Kansas food tax relief, which, when completely enacted on January 1, 2025, would result in a $450 million yearly revenue reduction. Instead, Senate Bill 248 would exclude several food goods from both municipal and state sales taxes, resulting in a $284 million decrease in state income for the next fiscal year.
Masterson commended Gov. Laura Kelly for successfully adopting the slogan “axe the tax” during the race for governor last year. Kelly had emphasized the passage of legislation that would progressively repeal the 6.5% state sales tax on food. Yet he encouraged legislators to take a “broader picture” into account.
Grocers and family activists who argue that the move of reinstating the Kansas food tax relief would be confusing, difficult to execute, and lower income for local governments are opponents of the “healthy foods” law. Some also expressed doubts about what constitutes a portion of “healthy” food.
Foods that are covered by the federal Women, Infants, and Children nutrition program are the foundation of the list of nutritious food. The Kansas food tax relief stipulates whole wheat or whole grain bread, corn or flour tortillas, pasta, brown rice, bulgur, oatmeal, and whole grain barley, as well as morning cereals, beans, nuts, and peanut butter. It also mentions fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and fish.
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