Kansas rule could lower property tax bills; Lawmakers have ignored it for 15 years

Gov. Laura Kelly wants to provide property tax relief by reactivating a long-dormant subsidy program for Kansas cities and counties.

The Democratic governor’s tax council on Tuesday recommended lawmakers start following a state law they’ve ignored for 15 years at a cost of more than $1.3 billion to local governments. Her office said it would give localities “a strong tool to begin lowering local property taxes.”

Kansas is required to send a share of its sales tax collections to cities and counties each year through a program called the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund. But the Legislature has continuously waived the rule since 2004, opting to use the tax dollars as a hedge against the Great Recession and Gov. Sam Brownback’s signature tax cuts.

(Read more: Wichita Eagle)