Two weeks delayed by a false positive COVID-19 diagnosis, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly delivered her State of the State address Tuesday night.
The governor hit on themes of unity and cooperation in her inauguration speech earlier this month and continued that approach Tuesday.
In the official Republican response to the Democrat’s speech, Senate Majority Leader Ty Masterson of Andover said Republicans plan to hold Kelly to her goal of bipartisanship and added bills only move forward to the governor with Republican consent because the GOP has veto-proof majorities in both chambers.
Governor Kelly hit on several policy goals during her speech, including the need for immediate water conservation.
Both 60th District House Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia and 76th District House Representative Eric Smith of Burlington agreed on the need for action. Schreiber says there are different water-related needs across the state.
Smith says “we need to get down to work” on water policy.
Schreiber was also pleased with the governor’s goal of fully funding special education, given a stated goal of getting the federal government to keep its funding promise, and Smith was pleased with the governor’s plan to add more funding to mental health.
Other policy goals met with less favor. Schreiber, a longtime Medicaid expansion supporter, says there is virtually no way that topic passes this session, and Smith says the state is taking an ill-advised step towards medical marijuana with several possible packages to be discussed this session.
17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia was unable to attend, due to prior commitments, and 13th District House Representative Duane Droge of Eureka declined comment.
