Lincoln Journal Star on June 24: Tax cuts possible without Kansas repeat, lawmaker says
A key state lawmaker says Nebraska can enact comprehensive tax reform next year, including income tax cuts, while avoiding the kind of debacle that threatens to close public schools in Kansas.
Sen. Jim Smith of Papillion stated his case Thursday, as the Kansas Legislature convened a special session to address a warning by the state’s Supreme Court that schools there might not be allowed to reopen after June 30 without changes to the state’s education funding system.
Kansas has struggled to balance its budget following income tax cuts in 2012 and 2013, passed at the urging of Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
Critics say Nebraska could end up like its southern neighbor if lawmakers slash income taxes here next year. Nebraska already faces a budget shortfall that might exceed $300 million when lawmakers return to the Capitol in January.