TOPEKA — In January, sales tax increases, eliminating sales tax exemptions and increasing sin taxes found only tepid support among lawmakers.
That's changing.
The transformation is partially due to 2011 fiscal year's growing puddle of red ink — $400 million-plus and likely to expand.
"We are being forced by economic conditions to consider all of these options that weren't even being talked about at the beginning of the session," said Rep. Melody McCray-Miller, D-Wichita, who serves on the House Taxation Committee.
Sen. Jay Emler, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, anticipates the panel will vote out a budget proposal on Friday that includes about $100 million in budget cuts. That leaves a significant gap that would be filled by increased revenue to the state coffers.
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