Ty Masterson on Tax Reform

Supports Truth in Taxation law; supports mill levy repeal

A: Kansas has a property tax crisis. The Legislature has enacted important reforms, including the Truth in Taxation law and repealing the statewide property tax mill levy so property taxes now fund only local government functions. However, property taxes are ultimately driven by local spending. As school districts, cities, counties, and other local governments increase their budgets, property taxes rise. The state cannot control every local budget, but it can establish guardrails to better protect taxpayers.

The Senate and House passed legislation to give citizens stronger tools to challenge local spending that drives property tax increases, but both versions were vetoed. Without these protections, local governments can simply raise mill levies and erase any relief. These reforms are included in my Homeowners' Bill of Rights because meaningful, long-term property tax relief requires both.

Keep cutting taxes until Kansas is most affordable

Support automatic income tax cuts based on revenues

Summary by Beacon News, 3/31/25Future income taxes would be tied to increases in revenue & the state's rainy day fund. The bill requires the state to cut income taxes if it collects more in revenue than in the past year, when adjusted for inflation. The bill also requires the state's rainy day fund to be less than 15% of the prior fiscal year's tax revenues.

Veto message, 4/10/25This bill could cost the state up to $1.3 billion annually. The triggers for those tax cuts are such that as soon as the state sees an uptick in revenue, taxes will be automatically cut regardless of any other economic factors or policy and budgetary considerations.

Legislative Outcome:Vetoed by Gov. Kelly on Apr/10/25; Senate Veto overridden 30-10-0 on Apr/10/25; State Sen. Ty Masterson voted YES; House Veto overridden 87-37-1 on Apr/10/25.