Brownback touts Kansas tax reform as model for nation

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) held his state up as an example of a path forward for America in the weekly Republican Party address, touting the state's conservative tax policy as a model for others.

Brownback says in the address that the 30 Republican governors nationwide are enacting "ideas that work" to improve their states' economies.

“They involve a more focused government that costs less. A taxing structure that encourages growth. An education system that produces measurable results. And a renewed focus on the incredible dignity of each and every person, no matter who they are," he says.

During his tenure as governor, Brownback has pursued the kind of tax reform national Republicans have sought in recent years. He consolidated income tax brackets and eliminated certain taxes on some small businesses, and recently proposed eliminating the state income tax entirely for Kansans.

To pay for the proposal, Brownback would make a sales tax increase permanent, eliminate the mortgage interest deduction in the state and repeal certain tax credits, including food, rental housing and child care, which, according to The New York Times, would benefit low-income residents of the state.

Critics charge that Brownback's plan would disproportionately hurt low-income residents, to the benefit of wealthy Kansans. But Brownback said in the address that his policies have made Kansas one of the most pro-business states in the nation.

“My objective is to make Kansas the best place in America to raise a family and grow a business. Now, for those who come to our state because of lower taxes, opportunities abound," he said.

Brownback's argument in favor of tax cuts comes as a debate over taxes are again likely to emerge in the national debate.

The White House announced Friday that President Obama's budget, to be revealed next week, will include entitlement reform, but that Obama will only support the reform if Republicans are willing to raise taxes on wealthy Americans and corporations.

Republicans slammed the proposal, with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) accusing Obama of holding necessary reforms "hostage" in exchange for higher taxes.

"If the president believes these modest entitlement savings are needed to help shore up these programs, there's no reason they should be held hostage for more tax hikes," Boehner said in a statement. "That’s no way to lead and move the country forward."

Republicans have held up states like Kansas as evidence that cutting taxes is the best way to spur economic growth. The debate over tax reform is likely to escalate next week, as both sides return to the table to negotiate a budget agreement following Friday's dismal jobs report.

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Sen. McConnell touts support of Rand Paul filibuster in campaign email

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) touted his support for Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) filibuster last week of John Brennan's nomination for CIA director in a new campaign email on Monday.

"Thirteen hours on the Senate floor with no breaks. Thirteen hours of pushing back against an out of control Obama Administration who often refuses to work with or even acknowledge Congress," McConnell, who is up for reelection in 2014, said in the email, sent out to supporters. "Thirteen hours of capturing a nation's attention to both an important issue and an important new voice for our party."

On Wednesday Paul filibustered Brennan's nomination in order to pressure the Obama administration to answer questions about its drone policy. The filibuster lasted more than 12 hours and a number of Republican senators joined Paul. McConnell eventually came to the floor to praise Paul's effort to push the Obama administration to answer his questions.

"Rand stood in their way last week and I was thrilled to join him. But I stand in their way all too often for their tastes. So in addition to standing with Rand, I hope you'll help Team Mitch today," McConnell continues in the fundraising email.

President Obama and his congressional allies are "out" for Paul, McConnell added.

"You and I know that I am their number one target this year. They want me to pay for standing up to them. They want to control the agenda and the power in Congress," McConnell said.

McConnell said Obama has put a "target" on his back and is likely to start planning to push Paul out of the Senate as well.

"President Obama has put a huge target on my back and will no doubt soon start eyeing Rand as well," McConnell concludes in the email.

Among Democrats, actress Ashley Judd has signaled strong interest in challenging McConnell. Tea Partyer Matt Bevin is also considering a challenge to McConnell.

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NRA touts internal Justice Dept. memo contesting Obama gun-control measures

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has obtained an internal Justice Department memo that it says shows President Obama's gun-control measures would not be effective without firearms seizures and national gun registration, the Associated Press reports.

The gun lobby is citing the nine-page memo in ads running in 15 states, including several swing states with Senate elections next year. In the ad, the NRA says the memo proves that the administration “believes that a gun ban will not work without mandatory gun confiscation” and thinks universal background checks “won't work without requiring national gun registration,” according to the AP.

Obama has not proposed either of those ideas. Instead, he has called for a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines as well as universal background checks for gun purchases – ideas included in Senate legislation introduced last month by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

The memo, a preliminary document signed by Justice Department research director Greg Ridgeway, casts doubts on all of those proposals. It has not been made public.

The memo says the ban would have little impact – especially if the many people who already have assault weapons and high-capacity magazines are allowed to keep them – because assault weapons account for a small number of gun deaths. And it says the usefulness of background checks would depend in part on “requiring gun registration,” something the president has shied away from in the face of bitter opposition from gun-rights advocates.

“Senators of both parties are working together on tough new laws to prevent anyone from buying guns for resale to criminals. Police chiefs are asking our help to get weapons of war and massive ammunition magazines off our streets, because they are tired of being outgunned,” Obama said during his State of the Union address. “Each of these proposals deserves a vote in Congress.”

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