NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dan Murray with NFIB-Kansas notes that his members are looking for property tax relief, and the 2025 Kansas Legislature will have to be careful about how it provides that help.
"The statewide mill levy is what you're referring to in terms of what is used to help fund K-12 education," Murray said. "They are able to reduce that, and they have done so in the past. It's at 20 mills in its current rate. It has been, I think, as high as 35 mills. Over time, they've reduced it, and they can do so again, but they have to strike a balance with funding the formula in a way that doesn't upset the apple cart with the Supreme Court. So they would have to do some state general fund transfers to make up for the property tax decrease at the statewide mill levy."
There are other policy provisions that can shine a light on the other levels of government that have more influence over property taxes.
"There was a statute that was passed and we modified it that did restrict what the local units of government could do in terms of raising property taxes, but they provided in that some language that gave them exceptions, for example, emergency police and fire infrastructure," Murray said. "It really didn't have the impact that we thought it might because they were able to kind of carve themselves out of it. That's where I think it's hard to pin down. I think ultimately, at the end of the day, it's important for voters at the local level to be involved and understand what their property taxes rates are doing and have their voice heard both at local meetings and at the voting booth."
The legislature is going to try to craft its own budget to counter that from the governor's office in 2025. It remains to be seen how that will change the final product.
"The Kansas House and Senate this off season created a legislative budget committee in a new process where they will attempt to create their own budget relative to what the governor presents to the legislature in January," Murray said. "What has been a customary practice is that the governor creates a budget, presents it to the legislature within of course, the 90 days of their session, they have to come up with a response to that budget through their appropriations process. They now are seeking to create their own budget apart from what the governor does. It's a hefty task and something they're kind of tipping their toe in the water on."
The Governor's State of the State message is scheduled for January 15.