3/15/2010
TIM UNRUH
On a quest for the “right mix” of solutions to close an estimated $400 million budget gap next year, Gov. Mark Parkinson fears the recipe is different between the Kansas House and Senate.
A sales tax and more taxes on cigarettes, liquor, soda pop and even a temporary hike in income tax are under consideration.
“This is one of the biggest economic challenges of our lifetime. I would hope that political posturing wouldn’t come into play,” Parkinson said Monday in an interview at the Salina Journal. The Democratic governor’s big reason for visiting Salina was a ceremonial signing of a state smoking ban.
But the budget is weighing heavily, he said. The 1 percent statewide sales tax and a cigarette tax increase proposed in his state-of-the-state in January are not popular, he admits, especially in an election year.
But the recession that has slashed state revenues all over the nation might allow a pause from the norm in Topeka.
“I think there’s a sense in the Legislature where you can vote for revenue this year and have it not affect you politically,” Parkinson said.


Read more of this story in Tuesday's Salina Journal.

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