For Immediate Release:
February 6, 2023
Contact:
Cassie Nichols
[email protected]
Governor Kelly Visits Pittsburg to Discuss How “Axing Your Taxes” Plan Will Help Kansas Families
PITTSBURG – Today, Governor Laura Kelly visited The Family Resource Center in Pittsburg to discuss her “Axing Your Taxes” plan and how it will benefit Kansas children and families. Governor Kelly’s plan calls for the immediate elimination of the state’s sales tax on groceries, diapers, and feminine hygiene to alleviate unnecessary financial burdens on hardworking families across Kansas.
“Thanks to years of responsible budget management, we’re able to afford to put money back in Kansans’ pockets without putting our children’s education on the chopping block or breaking the bank,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “The ‘Axing Your Taxes’ plan will provide relief to Kansans in every corner of our state, including in Southeast Kansas. I look forward to continuing to work with The Family Resource Center and Live Well Crawford County to ease this unnecessary financial burden for our families.”
The Family Resource Center has provided a safe and supportive learning environment for Kansas students, including students with special needs, for over 25 years. Governor Kelly was joined by The Family Resource Center Executive Director Ann Elliott, and Executive Director of Community Green Farms and a member of the Kansas Food Action Network, Matt O’Malley, to discuss the benefits of the “Axing Your Taxes” plan.
“The price of food and diapers is already too high, but these costs become especially concerning when you look at the cost of child care,” said Ann Elliott, Executive Director of The Family Resource Center. “Child care can cost a dual-income family household a fourth of their annual income, and nearly half of the annual income for single-income parents. Any dollars that our families can save with Governor Kelly’s 'Axing Your Taxes' plan will benefit those we serve.”
"As parents of two small children, my wife and I would see an immediate impact on our household budget if the sales tax on basic needs items was eliminated,” said Matt O’Malley, Executive Director of Community Green Farms and a member of the Kansas Food Action Network. “Every senior on a fixed income, young professional, and hard-working Kansas family will benefit from this move. It's just the right thing to do.”
In addition to calling for the complete and immediate elimination of the food sales tax and the tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products, Governor Kelly’s “Axing Your Taxes” plan also calls for an annual sales tax holiday for school supplies in August and to cut taxes on social security for retirees. The “Axing Your Taxes” plan won’t take away essential money and resources for our students: Governor Kelly’s latest budget allows for this tax relief while ensuring our schools are fully funded and that special education programs are on track to being fully funded.
Governor Kelly’s remarks as prepared can be found here.
Photos from this “Axing Your Taxes” announcement for media use can be found below.
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