Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says the state is moving in the right direction.
During her State of the State address, the governor touted four years of growth in several categories.
Governor Kelly also says the state can take several steps to further strengthen the future, especially by strengthening rural Kansas — in part by expanding Medicaid, a longstanding goal.
17th District Senator Jeff Longbine of Emporia has supported expansion, but he says it’s a tough sell with Republican leaders.
13th District Representative Duane Droge countered the governor’s assertion of increased support for Medicaid expansion, telling KVOE News 90 percent of his constituents do not want to see Medicaid expanded.
The governor’s education plan calls for fully funding both public school in general and special education specifically — very good news to 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia.
The governor also expanded on her plan to reduce the tax burden on Kansas residents, including exempting the first $100,000 in state property taxes for all Kansas homeowners, eliminating state taxes on Social Security income, increasing standard deductions, creating a back-to-school sales tax holiday and doubling the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. Republican leadership, meanwhile, is in favor of a flat tax. Regardless of the method, 76th District Representative Eric Smith says property taxes should come down.
The governor also mentioned her goal of fully funding the State Water Plan for the third straight year, as well as adding money for rural towns to update their water systems and more resources to help ag producers implement water-saving measures.
Much of the governor’s plan will be further fleshed out Thursday as she presents her budget to lawmakers.
