Kansas GOP struggles for votes to override tax relief veto

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Top Republican lawmakers in Kansas are struggling to find enough GOP votes to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a tax relief bill despite a strong push to save the measure from the state Republican Party.

The measure Kelly vetoed was designed to prevent individuals and businesses from paying more in state income taxes because of changes in federal tax laws at the end of 2017.

Republican leaders made it their top priority this year.

Republicans hold the two-thirds majorities in both chambers necessary to override a veto, but they struggled Wednesday to keep too many GOP lawmakers from bolting and voting against a veto override.

The Kansas Republican Party launched a text-based petition this week to show support for an override and a Facebook ad criticizing Kelly.