Major flip today from Congressman Hulshof on taxes. First he was for eliminating the earnings tax, now he’s against it. What’s going on here??
Today from KCUR radio in Kansas City:
State Treasurer Steelman’s opponent, Congressman Kenny Hulsof says he is familiar with Haslag’s study, but he is not willing to endorse repealing the earnings tax. Hulshof says though, as a conservative he is always looking for counterproductive taxes that can be eliminated. He believes the earnings taxes probably do discourage economic development, then adds, “But it is not sufficient for me to tell you, ‘Oh, yes, I’m for the repeal,’ but not offer you anything substantive, then, as a solution for those revenues.”
AP: (5/5/08)
Responding to a question, Hulshof also indicated that he sides with opponent Sarah Steelman’s call to rescind the one percent earnings tax in St. Louis and Kansas City.
“It’s a drain on the economic growth,” said Hulshof, who studied agricultural economics at Mizzou. “Theoretically, I would like to see the city’s earnings tax eliminated.”
0 responses so far ↓
1 Sailor // Aug 1, 2008 at 3:24 pm
A solution for those revenues? How about spending LESS? Kenny once again sounds like a BIG government guy.
2 Josh Schroeder // Aug 1, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I don’t see it as a flip-flop. While it has an impact outside these two cities, it’s a local issue in two cities. Unless the state takes away the right for cities to enact an earnings tax, the governor can’t do anything about it.
As far as the “solution for revenues” comment goes, it’s been my experience that local government isn’t very conservative. Getting local politicians to cut wasteful spending is harder to do than at the federal level. And local pols act like they still don’t have enough of our tax dollars.
Maybe I need to think some more about this, but I lean toward local control on this issue, even if the local government is wrong. It’s the responsibility of local citizens to hold their own politicians accountable, not the governor.
Leave a Comment