State of Kansas Archives: on Corporations

Laura Kelly: Experiment of no taxes on businesses drained our budget

She asked the friendly crowd to "join me in slamming the door shut tight and throw away the key on the Brownback years." Kelly said Kobach would "double down" on that approach if he's elected governor.

"If you thought Brownback was bad, Kris Kobach is Brownback on steroids," she said. That phrase has become a rallying cry among state Democrats, and many of the audience shouted "steroids" with Kelly.

Patrick Wiesner: CPA who owns a tax, bankruptcy, and business law practice

For almost 30 years, Patrick has counseled workers and businesses in solving tax problems. This problem solving involves US Tax Court practice, devising payment plans, and negotiating settlements with the government. He advises clients on tax planning and return preparation. When bankruptcy is the right option, Patrick represents his customers in Federal Court.

Laura Kelly: Cutting state corporate income tax to zero is a non-starter

Cindy Holscher: Supports wealthy paying fair share, not corporate giveaways

A: Most of the recent proposals brought forward in the legislature have been nothing but gimmicks and political band aids that fail to address the root problem. First--corporations and the wealthiest 1% must pay their fair share. Kansas cannot maintain a balanced budget with continued tax cuts for the wealthy while families, seniors, and working Kansans shoulder the burden. Second--we must fully fund schools.

More broadly, I'll focus on lowering the everyday cost of living by expanding Medicaid, increasing housing supply, protecting consumers from utility cost increases, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent on Kansans, not on corporate giveaways. I don't believe in supporting policies that promise quick-fix, but unsustainable relief, only to create larger budget problems down the road that Kansas families end up footing the bill for.

Cindy Holscher: KC Chiefs stadium is a raw deal for everyday families

A: Kansas should absolutely compete for jobs and investment, but not by making everyday families foot the bill while new developments provide nothing to local economies. I did vote to use incentives to explore a potential deal in 2024. The deal that resulted is a raw deal and I couldn't support it. I am the only Democrat in this race that opposed the Chiefs stadium financing plan because it asked taxpayers to shoulder billions of dollars in long-term risks while negotiations happened largely behind closed doors. Kansans deserve transparency before public dollars are committed, not after the deal is already done.

Economic development should prioritize investments that create lasting opportunities for Kansas families, strengthen our workforce, and support local businesses, not simply write blank checks to billionaires or massive corporations.

Ty Masterson: KC Chiefs stadium deal is a generational opportunity

A: I have always believed that incentives should be used judiciously and with no risk to the taxpayers, and that the best way to achieve long-term economic growth is by maintaining an economic and regulatory climate that attracts employers to Kansas.

Attracting the Kansas City Chiefs to our state represents a generational opportunity that will bring unprecedented economic activity to northeast Kansas. The world-class domed stadium in Wyandotte County will host not only NFL football but numerous other large-scale events. Along with the new headquarters and training facilities in Olathe and the surrounding growth that will follow, this project is exactly what the STAR Bonds law was designed to achieve.

As governor, I will be open to these types of large-scale opportunities while keeping our overall focus on lowering taxes and removing all other barriers to economic growth in Kansas.

Vicki Schmidt: More transparency for KC Chiefs stadium deal

A: I love the Chiefs. I'm as excited as anybody, but we need more transparency. The people who have made this deal owe Kansans more transparency. Kansans deserve to know what they are on the hook for and what the benefits will be.