Top Republican legislators in Kansas appear increasingly ready to reconsider a business tax break that’s been a cherished economic policy for GOP Gov. Sam Brownback.

Their push could make closing a projected budget shortfall more difficult.

Brownback is clear that he wants to preserve an exemption from personal income taxes for 281,000 business owners and 53,000 farmers. He calls the policy a catalyst for job growth.

But Republican allies who championed the same tax break three years ago said the GOP-dominated Legislature will seriously consider narrowing it to balance the budget. Several suggested the exemption was broader than they’d intended.

They’ve raised the same questions about whether the policy is fair to working-class families that Democrats have.

GOP legislators acknowledge they’ll have to push Brownback into accepting changes.