ROUNDUP: Gov. Laura Kelly Makes Historic Investments in Rainy Day Fund, Affordable Housing, & Economic Development
Topeka, KS – Last week, Governor Kelly signed the state’s budget, making record investments in the state’s rainy day fund and increased funding for law enforcement, affordable housing, and workforce and economic development tools. Governor Kelly’s fiscal responsibility has paved the way for a balanced budget that also allows Kansas to responsibly eliminate the state’s sales tax on food.
Other key highlights in the budget include:
- An extension of Medicaid postpartum care from 60 day to 12 months
- Fully funding the state water plan for the first time since 2008
- Restoring higher education funding
- Ending the reckless practice of stealing from the state Highway Fund, finally closing the ‘Bank of KDOT’
Here’s what others are saying about Governor Kelly’s Budget:
A notable inclusion is the extension of postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months, which advocates hope will reduce pregnancy-related complications. More than 30% of Kansas births are covered by KanCare.
In addition to the extension of postpartum coverage, the budget will increase funding for mental health services in home and community-based services and behavioral crisis stabilization for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also approves enhancements for emergency medical services, newborn screenings, cancer screenings and more.
Additional allocation in the budget includes increased funding for the Office of Broadband Development, and the Kansas Highway Patrol will also have $20 million to purchase two aircraft and replace the executive aircraft used to transport officials around the state. The budget restores higher education funding, including one-time investments in need-based aid and workforce development efforts at community and technical colleges. It also provides a 5% pay increase for state workers, their first bump since 2018.
- Kansas City Star: Governor Kelly Signs Budget with Bipartisan Support
The budget places $500 million into the state’s rainy day fund, providing an extra cushion if tax collections fall in the future. It provides $65 million in new funding for housing over two years, including the development and renovation of moderate-income housing. And it fully funds the state’s water plan for the first time since 2008 as Kansas continues to fight the depletion of the Ogallala Aquifer, which provides water to western Kansas.
Kansas will set aside $500 million to deal with future financial problems, give state employees a pay raise and increase spending across state government under budget legislation Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law Wednesday.
The measure Kelly signed provides a 5% pay increase for state workers, their first bump since 2018. It would allow the state to increase its payments to providers of in-home services to elderly and disabled Kansas residents and provide $95 million for higher education programs meant to train students for the workforce.
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