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By: JAY VANIER
Property taxes remain one of the biggest concerns I hear from homeowners throughout Salina and the 71st District. Families are frustrated because their property taxes continue to rise faster than their ability to pay. Kansas has made important progress in strengthening protections for taxpayers in recent years, but much more work remains to provide meaningful, lasting property tax relief.
As your State Representative, I will work with my colleagues to build on that progress and advance practical reforms that put more money back into the pockets of Kansas homeowners.
What Kansas Has Already Done
Kansas has taken several important steps to improve transparency and protect taxpayers, including:
Requiring local governments to hold public Revenue Neutral Rate hearings before increasing property tax revenue from existing property.
Providing homeowners with greater transparency about proposed property tax increases and giving citizens the opportunity to speak before local governing bodies.
Strengthening taxpayer protections through reforms adopted by the Legislature in recent years.
These reforms were important steps in the right direction. Now it’s time to take the next step by providing meaningful tax relief and giving taxpayers an even stronger voice.
My Property Tax Plan
Increase the Residential Exemption
I will work to increase the statewide residential exemption on the 20-mill school levy from $75,000 to $150,000 of appraised value. This proposal would provide meaningful annual property tax savings for homeowners while maintaining stable funding for Kansas schools through the state budget.
Give Taxpayers the Final Say
Taxpayers deserve a stronger voice whenever local governments seek to increase property tax revenues. I support strengthening the Revenue Neutral Rate law by requiring voter approval whenever a city, county, school district, or other taxing authority proposes increasing its property tax revenue from existing property by more than 3% over the previous year’s revenue from existing property.
If government believes it needs to exceed that limit, the citizens who pay the bills should have the final say at the ballot box.
Control Government Spending
Long-term property tax relief cannot happen unless government spending is brought under control. I support responsible budgeting, reducing unnecessary duplication in state government where practical, and focusing taxpayer dollars on essential government services before expanding spending.
Government should learn to live within its means just as Kansas families do every day.
Grow the Tax Base
The best long-term property tax relief comes from economic growth. Kansas must compete more effectively with neighboring states by attracting employers, encouraging small business growth, expanding housing opportunities, and bringing more families to our communities.
When more people and businesses share the tax burden, the pressure on existing homeowners is reduced.
My Commitment
Property tax relief is one of the primary reasons I entered this race. I believe government should live within its means, taxpayers deserve a greater voice in how their money is spent, and economic growth, not higher taxes, is the key to long-term property tax relief. As your State Representative, I will work every day to lower property taxes, strengthen our economy, and protect the families who have invested their lives in our communities.
That is exactly what I intend to do.
Jay Vanier, Republican Candidate for the Kansas House of Representatives, 71st District