Kansas governor’s proposal on cutting food sales tax garners support from GOP leaders

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - Governor Laura Kelly was in Wichita Tuesday afternoon, generating support for a new proposal to eliminate the food sales tax in Kansas.

The state estimates the bill would save the average family of four $500 each year on groceries. Eliminating the food sales tax is highly popular among Republicans and Democrats in Kansas, but getting the bill passed during an election year may be difficult.

The governor’s office is expected to spend the next few weeks drafting the bill, and Rep. Tom Sawyer will officially introduce the bill which proposes eliminating the 6.5% food sales tax in Kansas; the second-highest sales tax on food in the United States.

“Leadership in the House and Senate has also called for the elimination of the food sales tax, so I think we’re all on the same page. The issue will be getting this bill with food sales tax elimination only in it, so that it can come to my desk and I can sign it,” said Gov. Laura Kelly.

Senate President Ty Masterson and Republican Representative Stephen Owens both say their party would support the proposal.

But Democrats are concerned that politics could eventually get in the way.

If state lawmakers pass the bill in the next legislative session, it could save Kansas families hundreds of dollars each year on groceries. Despite that bipartisan support, Kelly believes it may still be difficult to pass.

“Leadership in the House and Senate has also called for the elimination of the food sales tax, so I think we’re all on the same page,” Kelly said. “The issue will be getting this bill with food sales tax elimination only in it, so that it can come to my desk and I can sign it.”

Kansas House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer said with a lot of support by both parties to eliminate the state’s food sales tax, “this is the time to do it.”

“We’ve gotta keep it clean, though. People may have other tax cuts they wanna add to it, and that’s what could weigh it down and cause it not to pass,” Sawyer said. “So it’s really important to keep it clean.”

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, also running for governor next year, is also calling for the end of the food sales tax.

“As Republicans, we have tried to get (the food sales tax elimination) passed for a number of years. We’re really grateful to see our AG on board with it,” Owens said. “But now that our governor is coming out in support, I think it’s fantastic and I think it’s good for the people of Kansas.”

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