Kansas
Kansas senator’s property tax plan ‘doesn’t work’
A proposal centered on replacing property taxes with sales tax revenue generated from a retail surcharge was met with skepticism during a Senate committee hearing.
A public hearing for Senate Bill 488, dubbed the “Kansas Property Tax Freedom Act of 2026,” produced muddled information on the actual legislation itself after the bill’s author — Sen. Michael Murphy, R-Sylvia, conceded that his plan “as written doesn’t work.”
Murphy on March 10 pinned blame for the lack of clarity on a software program that “assumed some things that it shouldn’t have assumed” when crunching numbers related to revenue estimates.
A fiscal note estimated abolishing property taxes would eliminate about $7.9 billion in state and local tax revenue in the first full year of implementation. Meanwhile, the increased sales tax intended to offset the property tax elimination would only raise about $1.5 billion, according to Kansas Department of Revenue estimates.
Murphy, whose district includes Hutchinson, told the committee he planned to press forward in his quest to bring “meaningful” property tax relief to Kansans. He added that he has “scenarios that will work,” while declining to elaborate.
“But that’s not for right now,” he said.
With a packed Statehouse audience serving as a backdrop, Murphy’s explanation came as a surprise to committee chair Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker.
“You can’t drop a bombshell and say that ‘there’s other things that we could do without giving the committee your ideas,” Tyson said, as Murphy departed the lectern.
Under Murphy’s plan, the bill would cut property taxes by 50% in 2026 and 75% in 2027 by placing caps on mill levies. By 2028, property taxes would be fully eliminated and replaced with surcharge fees on retail purchases as established by the “Fair Share Purchase Surcharge.” The plan would ultimately need to be approved by voters via a constitutional amendment.
A flat surcharge fee of $1.60 would be applied to purchases of $20 or more. For transactions less than $20, a surcharge of 7.6% of the purchase price is assessed. An exemption carveout would apply to SNAP-eligible grocery items, prescription medications, medical devices, motor fuel, mortgage payments, utility services and K-12 tuition.
Lawmakers leave door ajar for SB 488
Lawmakers said they are still open to hearing more about Murphy’s plan if he can come up with revenue estimates related to the surcharge fees. Specifically, they need to know if the lost property tax revenue is being adequately replaced.
“The data was not there,” Tyson told The Capital-Journal, adding, “It’s a conversation we absolutely should look at.” Sen. Jeff Klemp, R-Lansing, told Murphy that his proposal is “not ready for prime time,” but appreciated the effort.
It doesn’t appear as though Murphy’s plan is viewed by lawmakers as a serious contender, as Tyson said she’s laser-focused on other tax relief packages.
- The Senate on Feb. 25 passed SCR 1616, a proposed constitutional amendment to cap appraisal growth. It is similar to a plan the Senate passed last year that was rejected by the House.
- The House on Feb. 26 passed HB 2745, a bill that would restrict local governments from spending above a cap and allow protest petitions to block higher taxes. It is somewhat similar to a plan the House passed last year that stalled in the Senate.
Kansas lawmakers from both parties used the promise of property tax relief as a primary campaign platform during the 2024 election cycle, but continue to come up empty on the pledge.
Tyson is now sounding the alarm.
“We need to get those passed into legislation,” Tyson said of SCR 1616 and HB 2745. “If we don’t, we will go home another year, and property taxpayers in Kansas will not see relief.”
Lawmakers, stakeholders debate Murphy’s proposal
David Trabert, CEO of the Kansas Policy Institute, provided neutral testimony while also dismissing the legislation as beyond repairable this session. Trabert asserted that the data used to determine the surcharge fees doesn’t exist.
“You need to know how many transactions take place in order to back into those numbers,” he said. “And the Department of Revenue doesn’t have it.”
Trabert also discussed an aspect of the bill involving the distribution of revenue derived from the surcharge fees. According to Murphy’s blueprint, 48% would be earmarked for school districts, and 35% would go to local taxing entities.
Trabert contended that the distribution is problematic because it’s greater than what school districts are currently receiving by around 3%, while cities and counties would be receiving a drastically reduced slice of the revenue pie.
“The distribution to cities and counties of 35% is 20 points below what they’re actually getting,” he said. “So you would be dramatically underfunding city government.”
Trabert also noted that the bill would force lawmakers to devise a “completely new school finance system because property tax is baked into it.”
Sen. Tim Shallenburger, R-Baxter Springs, suggested that the surcharge fees needed to be “a little fairer.”
“It seems to be higher on the smaller purchases, so we could probably put another tier in there,” he said. “But I think people prefer sales tax to property tax.”
Rep. Adam Smith, R-Weskan, said he’s studied the plan, and all roads lead to “the math.”
“Is the surcharge adequate to replace the local property tax revenue?” asked Smith, who chairs the House tax committee. “And if it only brings in half of what we need, what does that mean for cities, schools, and local entities that rely on property tax?”
Former Republican Rep. Carrie Barth testified in support of SB 488, saying “people are being taxed out of their homes.” Property tax, Barth said, is the top issue in a state “that is not very affordable — for both businesses, as well as people who own homes and property.”
Tyson postponed a corresponding hearing for SCR 1621, which could have set the stage for a constitutional amendment prohibiting state and local taxing entities from levying property taxes.
Matt Resnick can be reached at mattres2121@gmail.com.
The Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship today announced the recipients of the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards, recognizing the outstanding leaders, organizations and programs that are driving innovation and expanding Registered Apprenticeship opportunities across the state.
“Our apprenticeship partners have played a tremendous role growing our workforce over the last several years,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “These apprenticeship awards honor what truly is possible when bold leadership and strategic collaboration align — and how, together, we can continue reimagining the Kansas workforce of the future.”
Since 2022, the Kansas apprenticeship program has experienced remarkable growth, including a 240% increase in new apprentices. This momentum reflects the strength of Kansas’ statewide apprenticeship ecosystem — and the commitment of the employers, education partners and workforce leaders to build sustainable talent pipelines.
Honorees were chosen based on innovation, measurable growth and long-term impact, with particular emphasis on forward-thinking strategies and sustained apprentice engagement.
The 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Award recipients:
- Excellence in Kansas Apprenticeship Award – Dr. Joel Gillespie, Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE): Recognized for his visionary leadership in expanding teacher apprenticeship programs to 391 participants, helping transform educator pathways and remove barriers to the profession.
- Kansas Business of the Year – Panasonic: Committed to workforce development through the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Registered Apprenticeship. The company has grown from 96 apprentices to 125.
- Outstanding New Program of the Year – HCA Midwest Health: Launched Kansas’ first pre-licensure Registered Nurse Apprenticeship program. The program has 146 active apprentices.
- Outstanding Program of the Year – Western Missouri & Kansas Laborers District Council: Recognized as one of the most robust apprenticeship models. The Council has 445 active participants, working to support an array of backgrounds and strengthen the workforce.
- Youth Apprenticeship Development Partner of the Year – City of Winfield: Honored for its leadership in youth apprenticeship, bringing together K-12 education and higher education partners to create classroom-to-career pipelines for Kansas students.
The 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards were presented during the state’s National Apprenticeship Week Celebration on April 29 in Topeka, highlighting the continued progress and future success of apprenticeship programs and opportunities in Kansas.
“Our apprenticeship partners are making a huge contribution to our state — and to our goal of connecting 10,001 apprentices by 2031,” Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship Director Shonda Anderson said. “Their contributions not only are changing the lives of individual Kansans but strengthening our state for generations to come.”
To view photos from the 2026 Kansas Apprenticeship Awards event, click here.
For additional information about the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship, visit here.
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KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – The University of Kansas Medical Center is set to receive $5 million from the state to build a new network aimed at improving dementia diagnostic capabilities.
Officials at the University of Kansas Health System said the funding — which supporters intend to be annual if the state’s appropriation process allows — will help build the Kansas Brain Health Assessment Network.
The network will be located at KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and will begin this July. It will bring specialist-level dementia diagnostic capabilities into primary care practices across Kansas.
“Kansas has a unique responsibility here. Our geography creates barriers that other states don’t face the same way. We built the tools to address this at KU — and the legislature recognized that these proven care models should be implemented to benefit all Kansans across our state,” said Jeffrey Burns, M.D., co-director of KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
Burns said the funding comes as, for the first time, clinicians have access to blood-based biomarker tests to accurately detect Alzheimer’s disease without an invasive procedure.
The KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center is one of 35 centers designated by the National Institutes of Health and one of eight institutions in the world participating in the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative.
KU Medical Center said 55,000 Kansans are living with dementia and Wednesday’s announcement of funding will help specifically rural Kansans, who face months-long waits for specialist appointments.
“This initial investment reflects a thoughtful investment in both innovation and accessibility,” said Kansas State Sen. Jeff Klemp (R-Lansing), who supported the funding. “This investment leverages the strength of the University of Kansas Medical Center and extends that expertise across Kansas into our rural hospital network. This opportunity makes meaningful progress in how we approach brain health and ensures these advancements are available to all Kansans, not just those near major medical centers.”
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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