State of the State: Civility at the Core

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly says Kansans wouldn’t have elected her if she were the type of politician who screamed the loudest and relied on bullying others to get her way. In her annual State of the State address, she warned that Kansas would have suffered in terms of government management, economic activity, and quality of life if voters had chosen a governor who confused toxicity with leadership. “I’m here because Kansans were looking for someone who would turn the volume down, to do more listening than yelling, to bring people together, to compromise and govern from the middle,” Kelly told the joint session of the House and Senate. “Kansans are the most civil, decent people on earth. And they expect that from us, too.”

She emphasized cooperation over partisanship and the courage to treat colleagues with respect as the path to shared goals. This approach, she argued, has produced 587 bipartisan bills in seven years and set the stage for cross‑party dialogue that helped secure a stadium deal in Wyandotte County to host the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kelly reflected on a period of budgeting woes marked by gimmicks, underfunded K‑12 schools, and aging infrastructure, and said Kansas rebounded with more than $30 billion in business investment, the creation of 80,000 good‑paying jobs since 2019, and a tax cut exceeding $1 billion annually, including the elimination of the $500 million state grocery tax. The rainy‑day fund grew to $2 billion, high‑speed internet reached 117,000 homes and businesses, and state debt was reduced by about $2 billion, with crime hitting a 20‑year low.

“There is more to do,” she said, but she stressed that civility can still exist in politics and that results come from working with others rather than attacking opponents.

Bipartisan Achievements

Kelly noted 587 bipartisan bills as evidence that Kansas can govern from the middle and deliver for diverse communities. She highlighted a culture of cross‑party dialogue that enabled the Chiefs stadium deal and broader economic incentives, underscoring a preference for results over credit.

Education and Nutrition

She called for full funding of K‑12 public education and increased support for special education, including $120 million designated for students in special education. The proposed budget would also cover the cost of reduced‑price meals, estimated at about $5 million annually>, to ease family financial stress and ensure no child goes hungry.

Economic and Infrastructure Wins

Beyond the Chiefs project, Kansas’ economic momentum was framed as a repudiation of national politics’ rancor. Kelly urged lawmakers to maintain fiscal prudence, continue tax relief, and invest in critical infrastructure so the state can sustain growth in a rapidly changing economy.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Kelly urged a comprehensive, long‑term strategy for water policy and mental health expansion—calling for more treatment beds and professionals, and for a crisis response network expansion. The administration signaled a readiness to press for policies that outlast election cycles and benefit future generations.

Source

Source: Kansas Reflector