Property tax relief bill passes Kansas House as home values rise
Kansas homeowners are upset. Property valuations are increasing. That means property tax bills will be higher. People are frustrated. Lawmakers are now responding. The Kansas House passed a bill to address the issue. They also approved a constitutional amendment. The goal is property tax relief. Whether it actually works is another question.
Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell understands why people are angry. โPeople are going to demand something be done, and I donโt blame them,โ he said. Rising taxes impact everyone. Homeowners want answers. Lawmakers are trying to deliver solutions.
The bill and amendment aim to limit tax increases
The House passed a bipartisan bill. It encourages local governments to control spending. If cities and counties keep budgets within inflation, they get funding. It also allows voters to file a protest if property taxes rise too much. The idea sounds simple. But government budgets always grow.
The Kansas House also passed a constitutional amendment. It changes how property values are calculated. Instead of yearly adjustments, it averages values over three years. Some say this creates stability. Others say it delays necessary adjustments.
Rep. John Carmichael, a Democrat from Wichita, supports the amendment. โI think there is a balance here, and the fact that county commissioners support it means itโs good legislation,โ he said. But many are skeptical. Some believe the change just moves the burden around.
Property tax relief debate continues among Kansas officials
Commissioner Howell supports the bill. He thinks it puts power back in the hands of taxpayers. โIโm kind of excited about HB 2396,โ he said. โIt empowers people to take control of government. It gives local governments an incentive to keep budgets small.โ
But Howell is not convinced about the constitutional amendment. He believes it shifts the tax burden instead of solving the problem. โWhen you cap assessments or appraisals, or smooth them out over years, youโre just shifting the burden to someone else,โ he said. He prefers a direct approach. Spending limits make more sense to him.
Local governments rely on property taxes. They fund schools, roads, and emergency services. Cutting taxes could mean cutting essential programs. The challenge is finding balance. Some taxpayers want lower bills. Others want strong public services. Lawmakers are in the middle.
The plan now moves to the Kansas Senate for approval
The Kansas Senate will now decide what happens next. The bill must pass the Senate to become law. The constitutional amendment needs even more support. If the Senate approves it, Kansas voters will decide its fate. That could be a tough challenge.
Homeowners want lower taxes. But they also want good schools and safe roads. Local governments need money to operate. Tax cuts sound good, but they come with trade-offs. Many voters may hesitate. The debate will continue in the coming weeks.
For now, the Kansas House has done its job. The Senate must now take action. Homeowners are waiting. Local governments are watching. The outcome will impact everyone. Change is possible. But whether it happens letโs see.
