John Coen, candidate for the Kansas Senate, was the most outspoken critic of the past legislative session at Tuesday afternoon’s candidate forum
“It’s criminal how the Kansas Legislature is leading the state to financial ruin,” he said, noting the state is projected to be $2.7 billion in the hole in five years because of recently enacted tax cuts. Coen based his claim on information provided by the Kansas Research Institute, a state agency.
Caryn Tyson, his opponent for the 12th District Senate seat, defended her role as a representative who voted for the tax cuts, saying “they will create jobs.”
Coen and Tyson were joined by the three candidates for the District 9 House seat, Ed Bideau, Chanute, and Judy Brigham and Bud Sifers, Iola.
The two-hour forum gave voters a good idea of candidate stances on a variety of issues. Rosie Cooper of the Resource Center for Independent Living moderated the forum in the Townhouse meeting room.
Because the RCIL provides benefits for the poor and disabled, several of Cooper’s questions to candidates centered on issues that directly affect the disadvantaged.
Cooper asked candidates if they would work to reinstate the Homestead Tax Refund for renters, which was eliminated this past legislative session. Previously the rebate was for low-income homeowners and renters to claim on their property taxes.
Legislators kept the rebate for homeowners, but eliminated it for those who rent.
“This was a rebate that many renters used to help pay heating costs,” Cooper said.
Coen said the elimination of the rebate is “a perfect example” of the punitive nature of the recent session. People who rent property are typically poorer than those who own their homes, and yet have lost a helpful credit. And yes, he would work to re-instate the Homestead refund.
On the broader issue of the tax cuts in general, Coen said, “The Legislature acted recklessly enacting the income tax cuts,” saying state finances depend on a relatively equal amount of property, sales and income taxes. “If you remove one of those legs, the other two will have to go up disproportionately,” he said.
Tyson dodged the Homestead rebate question, saying, “Every Kansan received a tax cut,” this year, and for those who refute this “simply don’t understand the math.”
According to the Research Institute, low-wage earners in Kansas will see an average increase of $148 in their income taxes. The middle class will see a decrease of 0.5 percent, or an average tax cut of $212. The wealthiest will enjoy a decrease of 2 percent, or an average tax cut of $21,087.
Tyson said as a member of the House Tax Committee, she worked to cut wasteful spending.
Bideau aligned himself with Coen regarding the Homestead rebate, saying, “The state took the refund away from the poor and disabled and should put it back.”
As for the tax cuts in general, Bideau said “It was a bold move. I’d like to see them work. But if it negatively impacts the welfare of Kansans, then the issue will have to be revisited.”
