Dr. Edward Flentje, professor of Public Affairs at Wichita State University, will be in Hays this week to offer a presentation on the impact of Kansas’ income tax reductions on property taxes in northwest Kansas.

The presentation is open to public and will be held in Hays City Hall at 1507 Main from 5:30 to 7 pm. Tuesday.

Flentje’s research concentrates on state government, state and local relations, and Kansas political history and culture. He has served as a consultant to several committees and organizations, including the Regional Economic Area Partnership.

Flentje served in the administrations of Republican Governors Robert Bennett and Mike Hayden, and is concerned about the current governor’s plan to eliminate the state income tax.

“Since the Alf Landon administration in the early 1930s, Kansas has used a ‘three-legged stool’ to fund its budget.  By removing the income tax portion, the result shifts the tax burden onto property taxpayers, and northwest Kansas has been hit the hardest,” Flentje said.

“We know the state sales tax has already gone up.

“When the state backs out of funding for schools, mental health, the arts–local official want to keep those programs, and the only way for most rural counties is a property tax increase. Hays and Ellis County, being a regional ‘pull center’ could raise local sales taxes, but most northwest Kansas counties can’t.”