TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Most members of Kansas’ congressional delegation say they support a proposed federal tax code revision being developed by House and Senate Republicans and supported by President Donald Trump.
U.S. Sens. Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran and Reps. Ron Estes, Lynn Jenkins and Roger Marshall all said Wednesday they back legislation that would reduce the corporate income tax rate from 35 to 20 percent. It also would reduce the top individual income tax rate from 39 percent to 35 percent.
A representative for Rep. Kevin Yoder didn’t immediately return a request for comment on the tax proposal.
None of the members’ statements discussed how the tax bill would affect the federal deficit, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported.
“There is widespread, bipartisan agreement on the need for tax reform,” Roberts said. “We ought to put aside partisan obstructionism and take action on something in which a majority of Americans agree.”
Jenkins, who represents Topeka and eastern Kansas outside the Kansas City area, said Kansans should not compare the proposal to a recent Kansas law that exempted owners of limited-liability companies from state income tax. State lawmakers this year rescinded the tax exemption, which was pushed by Gov. Sam Brownback. Critics said it contributed to the state’s budget deficits.
“While some may try to compare this tax reform framework to what was tried in Kansas, the truth is these two reforms could not be more different,” Jenkins said. “In terms of pass-through businesses, Congress will lower the rate to 25 percent - not 0 percent.”
Marshall, representing western Kansas, said the most common complaint he hears about the existing tax code is that it is too complex.
“With this in mind, we aim to make it possible to file your taxes on a postcard,” he said.
Estes, who represents southcentral Kansas including Wichita, said the tax proposal would deliver higher wages and better jobs for American workers and allow people to save more for retirement or college, he said.
Moran in a statement Wednesday called the tax proposal a “first step” toward creating a fairer and simpler tax code, improving the economy and creating new jobs.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration on this tax reform framework,” he said.
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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, https://www.cjonline.com
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