On the Kansas budget impasse, look beyond the media hype to the facts
The impasse in Topeka over how to resolve the budget gap and whether to impose drastic tax hikes has captured the attention of both the state and the nation. Throughout the debate, the media and politicians alike have relied on anecdotes and hearsay, rather than statistical data. Sadly, hyperbole and hysteria have stymied reasonable dialogue between well-intentioned representatives.
Tax reforms which became effective in January 2013 made Kansas more competitive. The top marginal personal income tax is 15th lowest in the nation today versus 25th highest prior, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council report Rich States, Poor States. Pass-through entity income is exempt from the income tax thanks to these reforms, counterbalancing the fact top marginal corporate income tax rate remains the 24th highest in the nation.