Brownback critics push Kansas toward debate on big tax hike

image from Adrienne Oleynik social media campaign video. She is a candidate for state representative in the 51st District

JOHN HANNA, AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democrats and moderate Republicans have boosted their campaigns for the Kansas Legislature by attacking GOP Gov. Sam Brownback’s fiscal policies.

And they’re setting up a debate over a big tax increase next year.

The goals they’re presenting to voters include increasing aid to public schools, undoing cuts in higher education and protecting highway funding.

Following through would force lawmakers to consider undoing key parts of Brownback’s tax-cutting legacy and raising taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

From an Ed Berger campaign image. He is running for Senate in the 34th District

Ongoing budget problems have fueled a backlash against Brownback’s allies ahead of the Nov. 8 general election. Democrats hope to shrink GOP supermajorities in both chambers so they can form governing coalitions with moderate Republicans.

The scenario is plausible because 14 conservatives lost legislative seats in the August primary.