Many Kansas homeowners are expressing frustration over property taxes they say continue to climb without relief, even as Governor Laura Kelly made no mention of the issue during her State of the State address on Tuesday.
Previous Attempts Failed
Property tax reform efforts collapsed in 2024 when the Kansas House and Senate couldn't reach a compromise. Now, Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, says legislators are considering a different approach: letting Kansas voters decide.
"We're hoping to get something on the ballot this year that allows people to vote on it," Masterson stated.
Expert Cautions Against Simple Solutions
Dr. Michael Smith, who teaches political science at Emporia State University, warned that the issue involves competing interests. Rising property taxes stem from increased property valuations, which frustrates homeowners but also raises questions about state interference in local county functions.
In 2025, the Kansas Senate approved a constitutional amendment limiting property valuation increases to four percent annually, but the House rejected the proposal.