Kansas lawmakers pass property tax bill giving voters power to reject local spending hikes

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas voters could soon have the power to force cuts to local government spending under a property tax reform bill passed by lawmakers Friday on the final day of the regular legislative session.

The legislation establishes a direct mechanism for residents to challenge local budgets that call for spending more than the previous year. If at least 10% of registered voters in a given county, city, school district or other taxing jurisdiction sign a protest petition, local leaders would be required to cut spending back to the prior year's level.

However, the centerpiece of property tax reform that lawmakers have promised for the past two years — a constitutional amendment to limit year-over-year property valuation increases to single digits — failed to advance. Legislative leaders vowed to try passing the ballot measure again when they reconvene in two weeks for the veto session.

Despite the setback on valuations, House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, touted the protest petition legislation as "a major step toward reining in out-of-control local spending." Hawkins, who is running for insurance commissioner, said the bill puts taxpayers in control and gives Kansans a direct path to push back if local governments attempt to raise property taxes beyond reasonable limits.

The bill now heads to Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, who could sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without her signature. The legislation passed the Senate 22-18 and the House 63-59, falling short of a veto-proof majority in both chambers. Two Senate Democrats supported the bill, but none of the 37 House Democrats voted for it. To secure the supermajority needed to override a potential veto, Republican leaders would need to pick up 21 votes in the House and five in the Senate.

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