4 ideas we should have forgotten in Kansas politics in 2025
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Key takeaways
- Property tax cuts were pursued aggressively, but county funding for essentials faced notable shortfalls.
- Gerrymander fever highlighted partisan battles in the Kansas Legislature and tested cross-party tolerance.
- Town hall accountability was questioned after a high-profile departure by a U.S. senator amid questions from constituents.
- Agricultural policy turbulence intersected with federal aid and global trade, reshaping farm livelihoods in 2025.
Property Tax Cuts (cough)
Kansas lawmakers prioritized property tax cuts as the first, second, and third priority of the 2025 session. By the end of the term, they had saved a $200,000 homeowner $35 in property taxes and passed the largest income tax cut since Brownback. Gov. Laura Kelly labeled this budgeting shift the “kiss of death for the Kansas budget.” A November post‑audit revealed substantial underfunding of counties for mandated state services like elections, law enforcement, and motor vehicle registration—services counties primarily funded with property taxes. This tension between tax relief and service funding remains a hot topic for Kansans and local officials alike.
Gerrymander Fever
Kansas Statehouse leaders Ty Masterson and Dan Hawkins pursued a redistricting push aimed at erasing the state’s lone Democratic representative, Sharice Davids, in a special session. The fever broke when a handful of GOP House members pushed back, and Hawkins effectively ousted opponents from the political conversation, at least temporarily. Masterson has since pledged to rally a veto‑proof supermajority in 2026, while Gov. Kelly calls the effort unpopular with Kansans and views it as a partisan risk for the state’s future.
Town Hall Flex
In March, a video surfaced showing U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall ending a town hall in Oakley after telling the crowd they were “one of the rudest audiences I’ve ever had.” Questions about veterans’ healthcare and funding hung in the air as he walked out. Critics argued that listening is a key job of elected officials, whereas supporters described it as a difficult exchange. The contrast with Gov. Kelly’s People’s Budget listening tour drew mixed reactions from Speaker Hawkins, highlighting a broader debate about accessible governance. Marshall faces re‑election in 2026, while Hawkins is pursuing the role of insurance commissioner.
Farm Blues
2025 brought storms for Kansas farmers. DOGE policies affected exports, and the ongoing tariff/trade wars under President Trump disrupted wheat, soy, and sorghum markets. In 2026, Sen. Moran helped re‑allocate about $1.2 billion to Food for Peace, illustrating the fragile link between federal aid and farm livelihoods. China partially resumed commitments to sorghum and soybean purchases late in the year, keeping Kansas atop the sorghum export chart with roughly $1.1 billion in sales. A $12 billion federal bridge payment offered partial relief, but the broader policy landscape remained unsettled for farmers facing global shifts.
Conclusion: Taken together, these four threads—tax policy, district maps, public accountability, and farm policy—shape how Kansas balances growth with community needs. As 2026 unfolds, readers may want to track how county funding evolves, how redistricting debate shifts, and how federal policy interacts with rural economies.
Source: https://www.cjonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2026/01/03/4-ideas-we-should-have-forgotten-in-kansas-politics-in-2025-opinion/87969235007/
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