TOPEKA, KAN. – The Kansas chapter of the grassroots group Americans for Prosperity released the following statement in response to today’s work on tax proposals in the Senate Taxation Committee:

“Members of the Senate Tax Committee today discussed proposed increases on general sales, cigarettes, liquor and sweetened beverage taxes, and were not successful in passing anything out of committee,” said AFP-Kansas state director Derrick Sontag. “This comes on the same day the House Appropriations Committee proposed a budget package that would address the budget shortfall without the need for tax increases.

“Clearly, these actions by influential members of both chambers indicate a lack of an appetite for increasing the tax burden on Kansas businesses and families. Given the current economic climate and the fact that state general fund spending increased 40 percent from FY 2004 – FY 2009, increasing taxes is not – nor should it be – the solution.

“We applaud members of both committees for choosing to continue to seek ways to balance the budget without shifting the burden to taxpayers.”

Kansans interested in receiving updates on proposed tax increases can sign up for Kansas Tax Alerts at www.kstaxalert.com.