Republicans on the House Taxation Committee took less than 10 minutes Wednesday to reject a 1 cent sales tax increase proposed by Gov. Mark Parkinson to ward off further spending cuts for schools and social services.
A motion to table House Bill 2475 for possible later consideration also was voted down the panel’s Republican majority.
The motion to kill the bill was made without explanation or elaboration by Rep. Arlen Siegfreid, R-Olathe.
Democrats protested.
“I have a strong feeling where this train is going already,” said Rep. Julie Menghini, D-Pittsburg. “But I think it is at best premature and at worst irresponsible to not work this bill at this time.”
She and other Democrats said the bill should be kept alive as a potential alternative for dealing with a projected $400 million budget shortfall.
Chairman Richard Carlson, R-St. Marys, said the committee, which spent two days hearing testimony on the sales tax plan, would hear other tax proposals. He said members would likely spend at least a week considering plans to close various sales tax exemptions.
The governor, a Democrat, has said he is open to other tax increases the Legislature would consider. He also has proposed increasing the cigarette tax by 75 cents per pack to $1.34.