TOPEKA - If there was ever any doubt, working Kansans know once and for all that Governor Sam Brownback has abandoned the middle class. Those listening to the State of the State address Wednesday night heard the outlines of his plan to give more tax breaks to corporations and the wealthiest among us while middle class families were relentlessly attacked.
“We are not going to stand by and watch Sam Brownback and his extremist allies in the Kansas Legislature wage war on the middle class and working families,” said Terry Forsyth, president of the Working Kansas Alliance.
In order to pay for tax breaks for the wealthiest Kansans, Brownback wants to eliminate targeted credits that help the middle class and poor Kansans. The Governor is also asking the Legislature to go back on it’s promise to lower the sales tax this year, proving once and for all that the Governor wants Working Kansans to shoulder the load instead of demanding that everybody pay their fair share.
The Governor’s speech also telegraphed another tax shift that will benefit the wealthiest and undermine the middle class: Property tax hikes. Income taxes make up half of the state general fund revenues, and if the Governor and his extremist allies in the Legislature are able to eliminate that, Sales and Property tax will go up to make up the difference.
“The Governor has made it clear that he is standing with wealthy CEOs and corporations,” said Forsyth. “Making working familes and Kansans on fixed incomes pay for the tax breaks he wants to give to the wealthiest Kansans will devistate the middle class.”
In order for the Governor’s vision of a state racing to the bottom to be fulfilled, he will have to depend on his extremist allies in the Kansas legislature to push through his anti-middle class agenda.
“Kansans are sick and tired of watching Topeka politicians force hard-working Kansas families pay for more and more giveaways for corporations and CEOs,” said Forsyth. “We deserve leaders who will make sure that everybody pays their fair share and that the middle class is strong and growing.”
