Budget? Yes, with some line-item vetoes. Tax relief plan? No — again.
Following the passage of several bills designed to bring billions of dollars in tax relief to Kansas residents, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the latest package, specifically including House Substitute for Senate Bill 37, House Bill 2096 and HB 2097. The governor says she recognizes residents “desperately need tax relief” and she “applaud(s) the spirit of bipartisanship” involved in the overwhelming passage of the bills, but the package approved near the end of the 2024 veto session “misses the mark.”
This sets up a special session for lawmakers, although the governor did not call for a specific date. Tax relief will be the only item up for debate, and lawmakers representing Lyon County say they will have to start entirely from scratch when they craft a new bill.
Republicans were not at all pleased. Senate Majority Leader Ty Masterson says Kelly “opted for the ‘my-way-or-the-highway’ approach,” while House Speaker Dan Hawkins said Kelly’s “laser focus has shifted solely to wasting your money on a needless and spiteful special session.” They were also critical of the vetoes, saying their plan was only $3 million above Kelly’s agreed number.
