Kansas governor calls for higher sales tax

New spending cuts could only devastate the state, said Parkinson, a Democrat, and he called on its citizens to help see the state through its worst fiscal crisis in a generation.

The proposal would raise the tax on groceries, clothing and most other goods by 1 percent, bringing the total state sales tax to 6.3 percent. Parkinson’s plan would also increase cigarette taxes by 55 cents per pack to $1.34. The tax increases together would raise some $380 million to help balance the budget.

“The alternative is just not acceptable,” Parkinson told lawmakers Monday during his State of the State address. “Every school in this state will be hurt. Some will close. … There won’t be any money to supervise prisoners let out on parole. … We have to protect what we have and fight for the future.”

Leading Republicans, however, called the tax hikes a nonstarter. They favor still more spending reductions. Republicans control the Legislature, which must approve Parkinson’s budget and tax proposals.