Giving credit where it’s due is a sign of character

For the last decade, Laura Kelly has worked to eliminate a food sales tax. This week, Republican legislators took credit for phasing out the punitive tax.

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Columnists

May 6, 2022 - 3:24 PM

Gov. Laura Kelly has fought to eliminate a food sales tax for more than a decade. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

Long before she became governor, Laura Kelly advocated eliminating the sales tax on food.

In 2012, 2015 and 2016 then-Sen. Kelly introduced various measures — including a constitutional amendment — to phase out the punitive tax. 

All were met with stiff Republican resistance.

Last fall, Kelly tried again, launching her “Axe the food tax” campaign with the hope legislators would adopt it this legislative session.

Republicans never discussed Kelly’s proposals.

Then lo and behold, last week Republican legislators claimed victory for incrementally phasing out the 6.5% tax over the next three years.

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