Governor Kelly Unveils Kansas Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly unveiled her balanced fiscal year 2026 budget, which fully funds K-12 public schools for the seventh consecutive year and includes significant investments in early childhood education and special education. The budget proposes a $30 million increase in water resource funding and aims to expand Medicaid eligibility for approximately 150,000 lower-income Kansans. Additionally, it provides $13.4 million to enhance child care services and eliminates co-payments for students on reduced lunch, benefiting over 35,000 children. However, tensions arise as Republican lawmakers are developing their own budget plan, which may conflict with Kelly's priorities, particularly regarding new spending and tax reductions. Kelly's administration emphasizes sustainability in budgeting, pushing back against GOP calls for tax cuts despite a robust state treasury. As discussions continue, the governor's proposals may face challenges in the Republican-led legislature.