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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Caucuses/Former Committees

Former Member, Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Health Care Stabilization Fund Oversight Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Legislative Post Audit Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Pensions, Investments and Benefits Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Public Health and Welfare Committee, Kansas State Senate

Ranking Minority Member, Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Select Committee on KPERS, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Social Services Subcommittee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, State Building Construction Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Subcommittee on Education, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on General Government and Legislative and Elected Officials, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Subcommittee on the Department of Administration, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Transportation and Public Safety Subcommittee, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Ways and Means Committee, Kansas State Senate

Education

  • BS, Psychology, Bradley University
  • MS, Park and Recreation Administration, Indiana University

Professional Experience

  • BS, Psychology, Bradley University
  • MS, Park and Recreation Administration, Indiana University
  • Director, Recreation Therapy/Physical Education, National Jewish Hospital for Respiratory and Immune Diseases
  • Recreation Therapist, Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center
  • Executive Director, Kansas Recreation and Park Association, 1988-2004

Political Experience

  • BS, Psychology, Bradley University
  • MS, Park and Recreation Administration, Indiana University
  • Director, Recreation Therapy/Physical Education, National Jewish Hospital for Respiratory and Immune Diseases
  • Recreation Therapist, Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center
  • Executive Director, Kansas Recreation and Park Association, 1988-2004
  • Governor, State of Kansas, 2019-present
  • Former Assistant Minority Leader, Kansas State Senate
  • Former Minority Whip, Kansas State Senate
  • Senator, Kansas State Senate, District 18, 2005-2019
  • Candidate, Governor of Kansas, 2018

Former Committees/Caucuses

Former Member, Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Health Care Stabilization Fund Oversight Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Legislative Post Audit Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Pensions, Investments and Benefits Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Public Health and Welfare Committee, Kansas State Senate

Ranking Minority Member, Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Select Committee on KPERS, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Social Services Subcommittee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, State Building Construction Committee, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Subcommittee on Education, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on General Government and Legislative and Elected Officials, Kansas State Senate

Former Member, Subcommittee on the Department of Administration, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Transportation and Public Safety Subcommittee, Kansas State Senate

Former Ranking Minority Member, Ways and Means Committee, Kansas State Senate

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • BS, Psychology, Bradley University
  • MS, Park and Recreation Administration, Indiana University
  • Director, Recreation Therapy/Physical Education, National Jewish Hospital for Respiratory and Immune Diseases
  • Recreation Therapist, Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center
  • Executive Director, Kansas Recreation and Park Association, 1988-2004
  • Governor, State of Kansas, 2019-present
  • Former Assistant Minority Leader, Kansas State Senate
  • Former Minority Whip, Kansas State Senate
  • Senator, Kansas State Senate, District 18, 2005-2019
  • Candidate, Governor of Kansas, 2018
  • Member, Sunflower State Games Board, 1989-present
  • Member, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Board
  • Member, Family Service and Guidance Center
  • Member, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Board
  • Member, Heartland Visioning Steering Committee
  • Member, Kansas Children's Cabinet
  • Member, Kansas Enrichment Network for Out-of-School Time
  • Member, North Topeka Business Alliance
  • Delegate, Shawnee County Legislative Delegation
  • Member, Kansas Leadership Center Board, 2006-2011
  • Participant, Leadership Greater Topeka, 2003

Other Info

— Awards:

  • Velma Paris Humanitarian Award, Community Action Inc. (2011)

    State Champion, Kansas Head Start Association (2011)

    Henry Toll Fellow, Council of State Governments (2010)

    Statehouse Champion Award, American Cancer Society (2010)

    Legislator of the Year, Kansas Recreation and Park Association (2010)

    Outstanding Policy Maker, Oral Health Kansas (2009)

    Legislator of the Year, Association for Community Mental Health Centers (2009)

    Community Health Champion, Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved (2009, 2008, 2006)

    Afterschool Champion, Kansas Enrichment Network (2006)

    William Penn Mott Jr. Award for Excellence, National Society for Park Resources, National Recreation and Park Association (2000)

Favorite Book:

Anything by John Steinbeck, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Great Gatsby, Manchild in the Promised Land, Team of Rivals, Master of the Senate, The World is Flat, Bully Pulpit

Favorite Movie:

Grapes of Wrath, Casablanca, The Secret of Rowan Inish, Austin Powers

Favorite Musician:

Laura Nyro, Joan Baez, Norah Jones, John Denver, James Taylor, Blood Sweat & Tears, Martina McBride, Don Williams, Ray Charles

Favorite Quote:

"When it's my time to die, I want to be in the Statehouse, because nothing ever dies in the Statehouse, it just comes back in another form." -Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley

Favorite TV Shows:

The Good Wife, House of Cards, Boston Legal, The West Wing, The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Meet the Press

Hobbies or Special Talents:

Walking, golf, reading & spending as much time as I can with my family

Policy Positions

2020

Abortion

What is your stance on abortion?
- Pro-choice

Gun Control

Should there be more restrictions on the current process of purchasing a gun?
- Yes

Gay Marriage

Do you support the legalization of same sex marriage?
- Yes

LGBT Adoption Rights

Should gay couples have the same adoption rights as straight couples?
- Yes

Equal Pay

Should employers be required to pay men and women the same salary for the same job?
- Yes, and businesses should be required to publish their salary ranges for each position

Stay At Home Order

Should the government enforce a "stay-at-home" order to combat the coronavirus?
- Yes

Climate Change

Should the government increase environmental regulations to prevent climate change?
- Yes

Planned Parenthood Funding

Should the government continue to fund Planned Parenthood?
- Yes

Trump Impeachment

Do you support the impeachment of President Donald Trump?
- Yes

Mandatory Vaccinations

Should the government require children to be vaccinated for preventable diseases?
- Yes, but only for deadly contagious diseases

Marital Rape

Should marital rape be classified and punished as severely as non-marital rape?
- Yes

Pre-Existing Conditions

Should health insurers be allowed to deny coverage to individuals who have a pre-existing condition?
- No

Police Body Cameras

Should police officers be required to wear body cameras?
- Yes

Gun Buyback

Should the federal government institute a mandatory buyback of assault weapons?
- Yes

Religious Freedom Act

Should a business be able to deny service to a customer if the request conflicts with the owner’s religious beliefs?
- No

Drug Price Regulation

Should the government regulate the prices of life-saving drugs?
- Yes, and we should socialize medicine and healthcare

Gender Identity

Should "gender identity" be added to anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

Armed Teachers

Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
- No

Government Mandates

Should health insurance providers be required to offer free birth control?
- Yes

Immigrant Children

Should adults that are illegally attempting to cross the U.S. border be separated from their children?
- No

Taxes

Should the U.S. raise taxes on the rich?
- Yes

Mental Health

Should the government increase funding for mental health research and treatment?
- Yes

Stay-At-Home Order

When should your state end the "Stay at Home" order and reopen its economy?
- Until a vaccine is approved by the FDA

Border Wall

Should the U.S. build a wall along the southern border?
- No

Immigration Ban

Should there be a temporary ban on all immigration into the United States?
- No

Student Loans

Do you support increasing taxes for the rich in order to reduce interest rates for student loans?
- Yes

Minimum Wage

Should the government raise the federal minimum wage?
- Yes

Muslim Immigrants

Should Muslim immigrants be banned from entering the country until the government improves its ability to screen out potential terrorists?
- No, banning immigrants based on their religion is unconstitutional

Muslim Surveillance

Should local police increase surveillance and patrol of Muslim neighborhoods?
- No

Free College for All

Should the federal government pay for tuition at four-year colleges and universities?
- Yes

Gerrymandering

Should the redrawing of Congressional districts be controlled by an independent, non-partisan commission?
- Yes, gerrymandering gives an unfair advantage to the party in power during redistricting

Women in Combat

Should the military allow women to serve in combat roles?
- Yes

Paid Sick Leave

Should businesses be required to provide paid leave for full-time employees during the birth of a child or sick family member?
- Yes

Iran

Should the U.S. go to war with Iran?
- No

Immigration Healthcare

Should illegal immigrants have access to government-subsidized healthcare?
- Yes, if they pay taxes

No-Fly List Gun Control

Should people on the "no-fly list" be banned from purchasing guns and ammunition?
- Yes, but not until the no-fly list screening process is improved for accuracy and includes due process

Immigration

Should children of illegal immigrants be granted legal citizenship?
- Yes

Mandatory Military Service

Should every 18 year old citizen be required to provide at least one year of military service?
- No

Deporting Criminal Immigrants

Should immigrants be deported if they commit a serious crime?
- Yes, as long as it is safe for them to return to their country

United Nations

Should the U.S. remain in the United Nations?
- Yes

Drug Policy

Are you in favor of decriminalizing drug use?
- Yes

Foreign Lobbying

Should foreign lobbyists be allowed to raise money for American elections?
- No, foreign interests should not be able to buy the influence of our politicians

Medicaid

Should the federal government increase funding of health care for low income individuals (Medicaid)?
- Yes, but I prefer switching to a single payer healthcare system

Obamacare

Do you support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)?
- Yes

Term Limits

Should there be term limits set for members of Congress?
- Yes, term limits will increase performance and prevent corruption

Marijuana

Do you support the legalization of Marijuana?
- Yes

Electoral College

Should the electoral college be abolished?
- Yes

Corporate Tax

Should the U.S. raise or lower the tax rate for corporations?
- Keep current rates but eliminate deductions and loop holes

Illegal Immigrant Detainment

Should local law enforcement be allowed to detain illegal immigrants for minor crimes and transfer them to federal immigration authorities?
- No

Death Penalty

Do you support the death penalty?
- No

Campaign Finance

1. Should there be a limit to the amount of money a candidate can receive from a donor?
- Yes

Fracking

Do you support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources?
- No, we should pursue more sustainable energy resources instead

Foreign Elections

Should the government attempt to influence foreign elections?
- No, and we should not try to influence any other country’s elections or policy

NSA Domestic Surveillance

Should the NSA (National Security Agency) be allowed to collect basic metadata of citizen’s phone calls such as numbers, timestamps, and call durations?
- No, only with a warrant showing probable cause of criminal activity

Single-Payer Healthcare

Do you support a single-payer healthcare system?
- Yes

Immigrant Assimilation

Should immigrants be required to learn English?
- No, we should embrace the diversity that immigrants add to our country

Israel Boycott

Should it be illegal to join a boycott of Israel?
- No

Immigrant Laborers

Should working illegal immigrants be given temporary amnesty?
- Yes, create a simple path to citizenship for immigrants with no criminal record

Sanctuary Cities

Should sanctuary cities receive federal funding?
- Yes

Transgender Athletes

Should transgender athletes be allowed to compete in athletic events?
- Yes

NATO

1. Should the U.S. remain in NATO?
- Yes

Gun Liability

Should victims of gun violence be allowed to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers?
- No, manufacturers and dealers should only be held liable for negligence

Alternative Energy

Should the government give tax credits and subsidies to the wind power industry?
- Yes, the government should support more sustainable energy technologies

Military Congressional Approval

Should the President be able to authorize military force against Al-Qaeda without Congressional approval?
- No

Confederate Flag

Should states be allowed to display the Confederate flag on government property?
- No

Right of Foreigners to Vote

Should foreigners, currently residing in the United States, have the right to vote?
- No, only legal citizens should be allowed to vote

Soleimani

Do you support the killing of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani?
- No

Torture

Should the military be allowed to use enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, to gain information from suspected terrorists?
- No

In-State Tuition

Should illegal immigrants be offered in-state tuition rates at public colleges within their residing state?
- Yes, as long as they pay taxes

Social Media Regulation

Should the government regulate social media sites, as a means to prevent fake news and misinformation?
- No, the government should not determine what is fake or real news

Border Security

Should the U.S. increase restrictions on its current border security policy?
- No, make it easier for immigrants to access temporary work visas

Voter Fraud

Should a photo ID be required to vote?
- Yes, this will prevent voter fraud

Gender Workplace Diversity

Should businesses be required to have women on their board of directors?
- No, board members should be the most qualified regardless of gender

Private Prisons

Should the government hire private companies to run prisons?
- No

Corporate Mega Mergers

Should the government prevent "mega mergers" of corporations that could potentially control a large percentage of market share within its industry?
- Yes, if the merged corporation would have more than 25% of the market share

Net Neutrality

Should internet service providers be allowed to speed up access to popular websites (that pay higher rates) at the expense of slowing down access to less popular websites (that pay lower rates)?
- No

Plastic Product Ban

Should disposable products (such as plastic cups, plates, and cutlery) that contain less than 50% of biodegradable material be banned?
- Yes

Welfare Drug Testing

Should welfare recipients be tested for drugs?
- No

Oil Drilling

Should the U.S. expand offshore oil drilling?
- No

Israel

Should the U.S. continue to support Israel?
- We should give equal support to Israel and Palestine.

Citizenship Test

Should immigrants be required to pass a citizenship test to demonstrate a basic understanding of our country’s language, history, and government?
- Yes, but it should only cover very basic and simple topics

Euthanasia

Should terminally ill patients be allowed to end their lives via assisted suicide?
- Yes, but only after a psychological examination to show they fully understand this choice

Candidate Transparency

Should political candidates be required to release their recent tax returns to the public?
- Yes, and require a public audit each year they are in office

Paris Climate Agreement

Should the U.S. withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement?
- No

Government Spending

Should the government make cuts to public spending in order to reduce the national debt?
- No

Campaign Finance

1. Should corporations, unions, and non-profit organizations be allowed to donate to political parties?
- No, and political campaigns should be publicly funded

Skilled Immigrants

Should the US increase or decrease the amount of temporary work visas given to high-skilled immigrant workers?
- Increase, our economy relies on businesses hiring the highest skilled workers at the lowest cost

Patriot Act

Do you support the Patriot Act?
- No

Medicaid Work Requirement

Should people be required to work in order to receive Medicaid?
- No, the vast majority of people who receive Medicaid are disabled

Universal Basic Income

Do you support a universal basic income program?
- Yes

Medicare Drug Prices

Should the federal government be allowed to negotiate drug prices for Medicare?
- Yes

Safe Spaces

Should universities provide "trigger warnings" and "safe spaces" for students?
- Yes

Lobbyists

Should there be a 5-year ban on White House and Congressional officials from becoming lobbyists after they leave the government?
- Yes, and ban all forms of lobbying

Flag Burning

Should it be illegal to burn the American flag?
- No, this is a violation of free speech

North Korea Military Strikes

Should the U.S. conduct military strikes against North Korea in order to destroy their long-range missile and nuclear weapons capabilities?
- No, we must use every diplomatic option first

Minimum Voting Age

Should the minimum voting age be lowered?
- No

Welfare

Should there be fewer or more restrictions on current welfare benefits?
- Fewer, current benefits do not provide enough support

Labor Unions

Do you believe labor unions help or hurt the economy?
- Help, but ban their ability to make political donations

Whistleblower Protection

Should the government pass laws which protect whistleblowers?
- Yes, but only if the information was legally obtained

Yemen

Should the U.S. provide military aid to Saudi Arabia during its conflict with Yemen?
- No, we should stay out of conflicts that are not an immediate threat to our security

Niqab

Should women be allowed to wear a Niqab, or face veil, to civic ceremonies?
- Yes, we should respect all cultural traditions

Military Spending

Should the government increase or decrease military spending?
- Decrease

Supreme Court Reform

Should the Supreme Court be reformed to include more seats and term limits on judges?
- Yes

Solitary Confinement for Juveniles

Should prisons ban the use of solitary confinement for juveniles?
- Yes, it is severely psychologically damaging to young undeveloped minds

Free Tax Filing

Should the IRS create a free electronic tax filing system?
- Yes

Syrian Refugees

Should the U.S. accept refugees from Syria?
- Yes

Affirmative Action

Do you support affirmative action programs?
- Yes

Common Core

Do you support Common Core national standards?
- Yes, I support the concept but not the current implementation

Foreign Assassination

Should the US assassinate suspected terrorists in foreign countries?
- No

First Amendment

Should the government support a separation of church and state by removing references to God on money, federal buildings, and national monuments?
- Yes

Capital Gains Tax

Should the government increase the tax rate on profits earned from the sale of stocks, bonds, and real estate?
- Yes, and all income should be taxed at the same rate

Safe Haven

Should cities open drug "safe havens" where people who are addicted to illegal drugs can use them under the supervision of medical professionals?
- Yes, drug abuse should be treated as a health issue, not a criminal issue

Dakota Access Pipeline

Should the government stop construction of the Dakota Access pipeline?
- Yes

Foreign Aid

Should the US increase or decrease foreign aid spending?
- Increase

ISIS Ground Troops

Should the U.S. send ground troops into Syria to fight ISIS?
- No, we should stay out of this conflict

Overtime Pay

Should the government require businesses to pay salaried employees, making up to $46k/year, time-and-a-half for overtime hours?
- Yes, and all employees should be paid time-and-a-half for overtime hours regardless of their pay scale

Eminent Domain

Should the government be allowed to seize private property, with reasonable compensation, for public or civic use?
- No, and the government should never be allowed to seize private property

Terrorism

Should foreign terrorism suspects be given constitutional rights?
- Yes, give them a fair trial and shut down Guantanamo Bay

Drones

Should the military fly drones over foreign countries to gain intelligence and kill suspected terrorists?
- No, only to gather intelligence, not to kill suspected terrorists

Economic Stimulus

Should the government use economic stimulus to aid the country during times of recession?
- Yes, but in the form of assisting sectors most heavily hit by the recession

VA Privatization

Should there be more or less privatization of veterans’ healthcare?
- Less

Social Security

Should the government raise the retirement age for Social Security?
- No, this will disadvantage low income seniors whose life expectancy is lower than wealthier seniors

GMO Labels

Should producers be required to label genetically engineered foods (GMOs)?
- Yes, consumers have a right to know what is in their food

Universal Pre-K

Should the federal government fund Universal preschool?
- Yes

Criminal Voting Rights

Should convicted criminals have the right to vote?
- Yes, but only after completing their sentences and parole/probation

Afghanistan

Should the United States pull all military troops out of Afghanistan?
- Yes

Dual Citizenship

Should immigrants to the United States be allowed to hold dual citizenship status?
- Yes, but they should not be able to claim citizenship status of more than two nations

Criminal Politicians

Should a politician, who has been formerly convicted of a crime, be allowed to run for office?
- Yes, as long as it was not a felony, violent, financial, or sexual crime

Mandatory minimum prison sentences

Do you support mandatory minimum prison sentences for people charged with drug possession?
- No

NAFTA

Should the U.S. continue to participate in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
- Yes, NAFTA helps lower the prices of consumer products

Estate Tax

Should the current estate tax rate be decreased?
- No, I am satisfied with the current rate

Nuclear Energy

Do you support the use of nuclear energy?
- Yes, temporarily while we increase investment into cleaner renewable alternatives

Drug Trafficking Penalties

Should drug traffickers receive the death penalty?
- No, I do not believe in the death penalty

Space Exploration

Should the government fund space travel?
- Yes, and drastically increase NASA’s current budget

War on ISIS

Should the U.S. formally declare war on ISIS?
- No, we should not legitimize ISIS as a sovereign entity

Cuba

Do you support President Obama’s move to lift the trade and travel embargo on Cuba?
- Yes

Tariffs

Should the government add or increase tariffs on products imported into the country?
- No, a global free trade system is better for our businesses and consumers

China Tariffs

Should the U.S. increase tariffs on imported products from China?
- No

Ukraine

Should the U.S. provide military assistance to defend Ukraine from Russia?
- No, we should pursue diplomatic options instead

Domestic Jobs

Should the President offer tax breaks to individual companies to keep jobs in the U.S.?
- No, but drastically increase taxes and import tariffs on outsourcing businesses

Tech Monopolies

Should the government break up Amazon, Facebook and Google?
- No

NATO

1. Should the U.S. defend other NATO countries that maintain low military defense budgets relative to their GDP?
- Yes, and refusing to defend other NATO countries sets a dangerous precedent for the balance of global power

Federal Reserve

Should the Federal Reserve Bank be audited by Congress?
- Yes, we deserve to know who the bank gives money to

Farm Subsidies

Should the government subsidize farmers?
- Yes, but only small local farms instead of large corporations

Property Taxes

Would you favor an increased sales tax in order to reduce property taxes?
- No

NSA Surveillance

Should the U.S. continue NSA surveillance of its allies?
- No, spying on our allies severely damages our reputation abroad

Offshore Banking

Should U.S. citizens be allowed to save or invest their money in offshore bank accounts?
- No

Pension Reform

Should pension plans for federal, state, and local government workers be transitioned into privately managed accounts?
- No, privately managed accounts will jeopardize the financial security of senior citizens

Edward Snowden

Should the U.S. government grant immunity to Edward Snowden?
- Yes, investigate the CIA and NSA directors instead

Charter Schools

Do you support charter schools?
- No

Russian Airstrikes in Syria

Should the U.S. prevent Russia from conducting airstrikes in Syria?
- No, we should not get involved

Prison Overcrowding

Should non-violent prisoners be released from jail in order to reduce overcrowding?
- Yes

Trans-Pacific Partnership

Do you support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)?
- Yes, it will bring economic growth to all countries involved

India Arms

Should the U.S. sell military weapons to India in order to counter Chinese and Russian influence?
- No, and we should increase diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully

Government Pensions

Should pension payments be increased for retired government workers?
- Yes

Public Transportation

Should the government increase spending on public transportation?
- Yes, but only if the spending goes towards environmentally friendly solutions

Jerusalem

Should Jerusalem be recognized as the capital of Israel?
- No

Online Sales Tax

Should an in-state sales tax apply to online purchases of in-state buyers from out-of-state sellers?
- Yes

School Truancy

Should the government decriminalize school truancy?
- Yes

Hong Kong Fugitive Extradition

Should the Chinese government be able to extradite fugitives from Hong Kong?
- No

Corporate Subsidies

Should cities be allowed to offer private companies economic incentives to relocate?
- Yes, if the company promises to create new jobs by hiring local residents

Bitcoin

Should the government classify Bitcoin as a legal currency?
- No, classify it as a commodity

State Ownership

Should the government acquire equity stakes in companies it bails out during a recession?
- No

Greenland

Should the United States acquire Greenland?
- No

Air Force One

Should the military upgrade Air Force One?
- No, not until the cost ($4B) is dramatically reduced

Sports Betting

Should sports betting be legal?
- Yes, but let each state decide

Speeches
Articles

The Kansas City Star - Laura Kelly: Leave the partisanship in Washington. Kansans need leaders to cooperate

Jan. 4, 2021

By Governor Laura Kelly A week from Monday, our state senators and representatives, Democrat and Republican alike, will travel to Topeka to convene the 2021 session of the Kansas Legislature. Before session each year, lawmakers and my administration prepare and draft legislation with the purpose of improving Kansans' lives and making our state a better place to work, live and raise a family. However, due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, our duty as lawmakers will undoubtedly hold a new and heightened significance this year. Our state's ability to protect Kansans from this virus, expand quality, high-paying jobs and rebuild our social safety net will depend on more tailored approaches following the far-reaching effects of this global health crisis. Too often, we've seen politics come before much-needed cooperation. For example, the bipartisan compromise to give 150,000 Kansans health insurance by expanding Medicaid was spiked last year for no reason other than partisanship. Now more than ever, Kansans deserve leaders who will travel to Topeka to represent their best interests, rather than settling ideological scores. They need lawmakers who will put political differences aside to deliver mutually agreeable results that protect and promote Kansans' health and financial welfare. As we move forward into 2021, I ask that lawmakers across the state and across the aisle set aside scorched-earth tactics and work with me to enact inclusive policies that will invest in and benefit all Kansans. Together this year, we can deliver not only a successful COVID-19 recovery but other critical initiatives as well. In 2020, we broke the all-time record for capital investment in Kansas since the Department of Commerce was established, proving that anything is possible when we prioritize pro-business policies in line with our Kansas values. By working with one another, we can strengthen our economic foundation by bringing in new capital investment, creating jobs and improving our communities. We can expand broadband internet access and deliver on long-overdue infrastructure projects such as road and bridge improvements statewide. Thanks to the 10-year Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, we've made needed progress rebuilding our state's infrastructure and transportation foundations. We can continue to support our schoolchildren by ensuring they have access to the tools and resources they need to succeed. By prioritizing a comprehensive COVID-19 recovery and protecting Kansans' health, we can get our students and teachers back in their classrooms. We can commit to making strategic investments in much-needed modernization of technologies in agencies across the board -- which have been underfunded and overlooked for years -- to ensure our state is always ready to support Kansans. And we can finally give thousands of Kansans long-overdue access to affordable health care, grow our economy and improve our rural health care infrastructure by expanding Medicaid. Today, I call on all lawmakers to join me. Let's recommit ourselves to rebuilding our state's foundation and to putting politics and division aside in the name of public service. As fellow Kansan Dwight Eisenhower once said: "The opportunist thinks of me and today. The statesman thinks of us and tomorrow." Bipartisan cooperation is critical to every facet of our state's success. I remain committed to my promise to work with all legislators, regardless of party, to deliver the results that will create a stronger, healthier Kansas. Laura Kelly is governor of Kansas.

Events

2019

Dec. 17
Governor Kelly Budget Listening Tour

Tue 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM CST

Wichita State University Metroplex, 5015 E. 29th St. N, Wichita, KS 67220

Dec. 11
Governor Kelly Budget Listening Tour

Wed 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM CST

University of Kansas Health System, Westwood Campus, Westwood Atrium, 2330 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Westwood, KS 66205

Nov. 19
Kansan to Kansan Budget Listening Tour: Garden City

Tue 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM CST

Dennis Perryman Athletic Complex, Garden City Community College, 801 Campus Drive, Garden City, KS 67846