Kansas Senate votes to sustain governor's veto of tax bill
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UPDATE: Kansas legislators have failed to override Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's veto of a bill that would have increased income taxes to help balance the state budget.
The state Senate voted 24-16 Wednesday to overturn the veto. But supporters were three votes short of the two-thirds majority of 27 votes needed in the 40-member chamber.
The Senate's action came after the House voted 85-40 to override the veto. Supporters there had one vote more than necessary.
The bill would have raised more than $1 billion over two years by rolling back personal income tax cuts Brownback championed in 2012 and 2013. Lawmakers will have to draft a new budget-balancing plan.
The state faces projected budget shortfalls totaling nearly $1.1 billion through June 2019.
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UPDATE: The Kansas Senate is debating whether to override Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's veto of a bill increasing income taxes to help balance the budget.
Senators expected to vote Wednesday afternoon. Supporters of the bill would need a two-thirds majority of 27 votes in the 40-member chamber.
The debate came only hours after the House voted 85-40 to override the governor's Wednesday morning veto.
The bill would have rolled back key income tax cuts championed by Brownback in 2012 and 2013. The bill would have raised more than $1 billion over two years.
The state faces projected budget shortfalls totaling nearly $1.1 billion through June 2019.
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UPDATE: The Kansas House has voted to override Republican Gov. Sam Brownback's veto of a bill increasing personal income taxes to help balance the state budget.
The vote Wednesday was 85-40. That's one vote more than the two-thirds majority necessary in the 125-member House.
The House's action clears the way for an attempt to override in the Senate.
The bill would raise more than $1 billion over two years starting in July. It would increase income tax rates and end an exemption for more than 330,000 farmers and business owners.
Kansas has struggled to balance its budget since GOP lawmakers slashed income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback's urging. The bill would reverse key Brownback tax policies.
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UPDATE: Governor Sam Brownback has vetoed the tax bill in Topeka. Brownback held a press conference Wednesday morning to explain his reasons for the veto.
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Gov. Sam Brownback says he will veto the tax bill that, in part, would have rolled back business income tax exemptions that passed in 2012. The bill would have also raised income taxes for everyone.
Brownback's decision to veto leaves lawmakers with two options. They can try to override the veto by getting a majority vote, or try again, sending the bill, or a similar version of the bill, back to the governor.
The governor's full statement is as follows:
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Kansas Governor Sam Brownback says he will announce a decision on a new tax bill tonight (Tuesday).
The governor's office says Brownback received the bill Tuesday. Lawmakers passed the bill to address the state's financial troubles. In part, it rolls back business income tax exemptions and increases some personal state income tax rates.
The governor could sign the bill or veto it, sending it back to the legislature, which can override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote in each House.
If the governor takes no action on the bill, it will become law after 10 days.