Among Governor Laura Kelly’s many concerns about the state’s coronavirus response is the impact the virus has on the budget.
As part of her weekly news conference on the topic Monday, the governor again urged residents to do what they can to slow down the spread. She also urged Congress to step forward and help.
The governor made her comments in light of a Kansas Board of Regents request to restore $35 million to the budget for higher education. Kelly says she does not anticipate hefty cuts for the current fiscal year, but that may have to be revisited.
As she mentioned in an online meeting with the US House Financial Services Committee last week, Kelly said a consistent message at all government levels would have helped to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
The governor also revisited last week’s decision by the State Finance Council to extend the disaster declaration to Oct. 15, but only after she stated her intent not to use her authority to close businesses. She said that particular stipulation was unnecessary and she says the Finance Council has now taken on the role of the full Legislature on coronavirus matters since the special session in June.
