Legislators talk about taxes, funding during Saturday coffee

Rebekah Houser/Tribune photo During a Legislative Coffee hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Saturday in Mercy Hospital Fort Scott, from left, Senators Caryn Tyson and Jake LaTurner, and Representatives Marty Read and Adam Lusker listen as an audience member asks a question. Mediator Mark McCoy, right, also listens. About 40 people came to the event to ask questions and hear updates from state legislatures.

Local residents had taxes and education funding on their minds during a Legislative Coffee hosted Saturday by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at Mercy Hospital Fort Scott.

Kansas Sens. Caryn Tyson and Jake LaTurner, as well as Reps. Marty Read and Adam Lusker were present to answer questions from members of the community.

Several questions were submitted to the Chamber ahead of the event to be discussed by the lawmakers.

High property tax

Property tax increases in Kansas were a topic of concern, both for audience members and the legislators.

"Since (the late 90s), statewide, you've seen property taxes grow 117 percent," LaTurner said. "It is a problem in our state."

An increase in Kansas property tax is expected by Read and Read warned those present to "get ready."

"We, as a state, are trying to protect ourselves from the federal government's overspending," he said. "It's just an uphill battle."

A conflict of opinion in Topeka is to blame, Tyson said.

"It is urban, rural divide in Topeka right now and we just need to keep that in mind," she said. "Our friends to the north still want to raise our property taxes on agriculture. They think that we're not paying enough on ag."

While taxes have increased, those in Bourbon County are "lucky" as some counties further west have seen tax increases of 40 to 45 percent this year, she said.

With no changes of regulation or interpretation from the revenue department, they're "trying to track down" where the near-50 percent tax spikes are coming from, Tyson said.