Governor Laura Kelly visited Elmont Elementary School in Seaman School District today to announce her veto of House Substitute for Senate Bill 169.

 The bill looks to overhaul the state’s tax structure and establish a flat tax rate, which would, according to Governor Kelly, cost the state $1.3 billion over the next three years. Kelly says that would put public education funding at risk.

 Included in H Sub SB 169 is a 5.15 percent flat income tax – or a single tax rate applied to all taxpayers. The flat tax, according to Kelly, poses risks to funding for public education, roads and bridges, and other essential services. Middle-class taxpayers would see less than $100 in annual savings from the flat tax, but it would cost Kansans their public schools. Kelly says legislators are proposing cutting money from public schools in this year’s K-12 Education budget in order to pay for this tax cut.

 Governor Kelly’s remarks are available here.