Republicans question prepayment of sales tax and flag ICE detainers in state prisons

At a Senate Republican news availability, reporters asked GOP leaders to explain a provision in recently introduced tax legislation that would allow prepayment of sales tax and questioned the scale of ICE detainers reportedly affecting state prisons.

Jerry Kornfield asked whether sponsors had articulated a policy objective for prepaying sales tax. Sen. John Braun said staff and the sponsor "didn't know" a clear rationale and called the provision "unprecedented" and risky. "It's a move never been done in our state before," Braun said, adding that prepaying a year’s worth of sales tax could create repayment obligations if revenue forecasts change.

Sen. Chris Gildan agreed he had not received a satisfying explanation and suggested the measure pulled revenue from a later fiscal year into the current one, creating a structural risk. Both leaders said the provision raised questions about the budget’s balance in fiscal year 2027.

On ICE detainers, Kornfield referred to a press release stating ICE has detainers on more than 300 people in state prisons. Braun said he had not raised the issue with the governor but that the Department of Corrections had previously reported only a few detainees; new information suggesting hundreds merits further inquiry. "If it's true that there are 300 folks who are being held by Department of Corrections, that's, seems appropriate that we cooperate with ICE," Braun said, but added the matter requires more fact-finding because of cost and management implications.

Republican leaders said they will follow up for more detail on both the prepayment provision and the scale of ICE detainers before drawing policy conclusions.