Kansas needs to continue investing in the state’s public schools, fund free school lunches, eliminate red tape contributing to the child care crisis and avoid tax proposals that could hurt the state’s financial stability, Gov. Laura Kelly said Wednesday.

In her annual State of the State speech, the Democratic governor said much of her tenure has focused on righting the wrongs of the past by fully funding public schools, investing in infrastructure and attracting major economic developments to the state. 

“We’ve shown that here in Kansas we can still find common ground and get things done,” Kelly said.

She encouraged lawmakers to embrace change and innovation while remaining true to “Kansas’ core values.”

“Kansans are excited about the future,” Kelly said. “We really are. They see the new educational opportunities and the new innovative companies setting up shop here in Kansas, and they can see bright futures for themselves and for their children.”

Kelly advocated for increased investment in early childhood services, proposing the creation of the Office of Early Childhood, which she described as a one-stop shop for young families and child care providers. 

Kelly said for the state to continue to attract new businesses, it needs strong public schools.

“Our public schools are the heart and soul of so many of our communities,” she said. “It’s where we come together.”

She committed to rejecting any form of taking public tax dollars and directing them toward private schools. Kelly has vetoed measures aiming to do this in past years. 

Tax cuts have been top of mind for Republican leadership heading into this session. But Kelly urged restraint, arguing that lawmakers needed to wait and see the full effects of last year’s tax cut package. 

“We must stay on the path to prosperity,” she said.

Kelly said her budget will fund free school lunches for over 35,000 Kansas kids. 

One major concern Kelly highlighted was Kansas’ dwindling water supply, which she said threatens Kansas’ agriculture industry. She advocated for the creation of the Office of Natural Resources to streamline the government’s handling of water. She said her budget would add $30 million more to Kansas’ water conservation efforts. 

Kelly once again proposed expanding Medicaid, pointedly urging lawmakers to avoid partisan politics and do what is best for Kansans. 

“I’m not asking you not to love your political party,” Kelly said. “I’m just asking you to love your state a little more.”

In a six-minute recorded statement, Senate President Ty Masterson gave the Republican response to Kelly’s speech.

Masterson said the Republican caucus aimed to define where they would work with the governor and where they would push back against her “more radical policies.”

He said the vast majority of their work is bipartisan and thanked Kelly for working with the Legislature. He thanked voters for expanding Republican majorities in both chambers. 

“You expect us to put Kansans first, control the overreach of government and keep our promises,” Masterson said. “And that is exactly what we intend to do.”

He highlighted his desire to see property tax cuts. He cited the strains property taxes can put on seniors and new home buyers. He said the Legislature would work to cap taxes and reform the system.  

Masterson highlighted the state’s new Committee on Government Efficiency, a partner of President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency. He called on Kelly to support actions that secured Kansas land from foreign threats and protected the state from illegal immigration. Masterson pushed back on Kelly’s desire for Medicaid expansion. 

He said Republican legislators stand for decreasing the number of abortions. He finished his speech by arguing against the “extreme trans agenda.” He said Republican legislators will once more seek to ban gender-affirming care for minors, a bill Kelly vetoed last session. 

“Unfortunately, the governor has sided with the radical left on this topic and vetoed the bill, which we were not able to override by just two votes,” he said. “You fixed that problem in this last election.”