By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Laura Kelly vetoed 17 bills in 2023, the most by a Kansas governor in 30 years. As of April 25, Kelly had vetoed another 16 bills from the 2024 legislative session. The Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) is asking for a 17th. Barton County Administrator Matt Patzner approached the board of commissioners Tuesday morning for their endorsement on a request for Kelly to veto House Bill 2096, or a government competition bill that would ease property tax burdens for select businesses.
"Essentially, what KAC is worried about with this is that either governments will have to shut down these services or keep them going and spread the tax burden to other taxpayers because these services would become tax-exempt," Patzner said.
The bill, which included tax relief for elderly homeowners, disabled individuals, and certain servicemembers of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, also included a property tax exemption for select business owners. Inspired by owners of Genesis Health Clubs, based in Wichita, that part of the bill would exempt businesses in competition against a government-owned business of the same type if located within five miles of one another. Commissioner Donna Zimmerman said it was unfortunate the property tax exemption was thrown into an otherwise good bill. Commission Chair Barb Esfeld explained that, under the bill, public entities like the Great Bend Recreation Commission offering a fitness facility would allow privately owned fitness facilities to be property-tax exempt.
"While it sounds good and in some ways, it shouldn't have gotten thrown in with everything else," she said. "I just don't think we can support any way of exempting more property."
The Conference Committee Report was adopted with a 91-26 vote. Several Republican state lawmakers, including U.S. Army veteran Patrick Penn of Wichita, have voiced opposition to the bill. Penn said he, "Categorically refuses to give certain health clubs and an advantage or break on the backs of disabled vets and struggling families."