(WICHITA, Kan.)—
A Kansas House Committee is currently considering a bill that would give the state a "sales tax holiday." That would mean, on specified days, people wouldn't have to pay sales tax on clothing under $300, school supply purchases over $100 and computers under $2,000.
Local business owners say the bill would encourage people to shop in Kansas, instead of Oklahoma or Missouri.
"I have actually had teachers come in and say they do their shopping in Oklahoma to take advantage of its tax break weekend," said Gerald Hicks, owner of Superior Education Supply.
He says July and August are his busiest months and any encouragement for people to do their shopping here is obviously beneficial to him.
"I'd much rather have this business come back to Kansas."
Analyst estimate the bill would cost Kansas almost $7 million. Both the Kansas Association of Counties and the Kansas Association of School Boards are opposing it. They say it could hurt county budgets, and the money could be better spent on schools.
