TOPEKA (AP) – Kansas House members have given first-round approval legislation cutting state income tax rates and abolishing the sales tax on groceries.

The 68-53 vote Tuesday afternoon capped five hours of debate on taxes. Approval on a second vote would send the bill to the Senate.

The measure would lower the tax rates in all income brackets and require any growth in state revenue above 3 percent be used to cut taxes further.

It would also phase out earnings taxes for thousands of partnerships, sole proprietorship’s and other small businesses. The sales tax rate would drop to 5.7 percent from 6.3 percent in July
2013, as previously scheduled.

Proponents say the changes would give all Kansans more disposable and create jobs. Critics called the policy misguided.