Kansas Governor Laura Kelly stopped by the KVOE studios to discuss the agenda for her final year in office this week.
On KVOE’s Newsmaker segment Friday, the governor highlighted upcoming conversations about the budget, including property taxes and education spending. When it comes to the budget, the governor says the wants it to be balanced and sustainable.
Kelly says her budget, announced in outline form during her annual State of the State address and then in more detail shortly afterward, handles the state’s basic needs and other items she feels are important, including the Office of Early Childhood. She also believes public education funding is in a good place with the base formula set to be revisited — and possibly reworked — next year.
The biggest issue for residents and many lawmakers is still property tax relief. Kelly admits this is a tough issue to solve for several reasons. The state levies 20 mils, all for education funding, and Kelly says the state would have find another revenue source if it decided against property tax funding for schools. On top of that, there are concerns about local control.
One of the more immediate and longstanding concerns for the governor is a “structurally balanced budget” shortly after the state was in a strong financial position. Kelly was quick to remind residents the financial picture was a lot different a decade ago, and she addressed concerns and criticisms about the state having too much revenue in reserve.
We’ll have more from Governor Kelly’s interview on KVOE’s Morning Show this weekend.
