Gov. Sam Brownback responded Friday to criticism about a mailer sent to 146,000 Kansas businesses promoting the state's 2013 tax changes.
The new law includes exemptions for "non-wage" income and other benefits designed to promote business growth in the state.
Brownback said the motive behind the flier was "strictly educational" and not political. The governor said he never spoke with the Department of Revenue about the timing of the mailing, which comes just days before the general election.
"I don't know what was in their calculation other than you're getting right up to the end of the year on tax planning. And you're going to be getting into a Thanksgiving holiday, Christmas season. People need to plan," Brownback said.
Kansas democrats claim the mailer makes no mention of the negative affects of the tax law. They argue the timing may have been intended to influence voters before they head to the polls next Tuesday.
"This is $52,000 plus of taxpayer money that should not have been spent," said democrat Rep. Paul Davis.
"When he starts to use state money, our money, taxpayer money to promote his agenda, that's wrong. And he shouldn't that," added Rep. Jim Ward of Wichita.
The Kansas Ethics Commission tells FactFinder 12 it found no violation of campaign finance law with regard to the flyers.
The law prohibits the use of public funds "to expressly advocate the nomination, election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate to state office or local office."
The mailer mentions Gov. Brownback by name and makes reference to the legislature's work on the tax plan. However, it makes no mention of a candidate or specific ballot issue.
