As Governor Laura Kelly enters the final year of her second term, she has outlined her legislative agenda for the 2026 session, emphasizing the need for a balanced state budget and addressing federal funding cuts to essential programs.
Budget Priorities and Federal Challenges
Kelly identified budget development as her top priority for the upcoming legislative session. "No. 1 is always the budget," she stated in an interview. "That the Legislature pass a balanced, reasonable, sane budget that funds the important responsibilities of state government."
The governor acknowledged Kansas faces significant challenges due to federal reductions in health care and nutrition assistance programs. "We are not really taking that approach. That's the way we've been since these cuts started coming down," Kelly explained. "One, we don't really have the money. Where do you stop on those kinds of things? Can we backfill the cuts to Medicaid that are coming? Absolutely not. SNAP? We cannot."
According to federal estimates, Kansas could lose at least $150 million through reductions to health care programs, with Medicaid coverage potentially affected for thousands of residents.
Legislative Landscape and Economic Development
The 2026 legislative session begins on January 12, with Kelly working alongside a Republican supermajority in both legislative chambers. Despite political differences, the governor highlighted recent bipartisan cooperation in economic development efforts.
Kelly pointed to the state's support for relocating the Kansas City Chiefs as an example of successful collaboration. "You don't often see this type of bipartisanship in our politics today, but that's how we do things in Kansas, especially when the stakes are high," she remarked.
Additional Policy Objectives
Beyond budget concerns, Kelly outlined several other priorities for her final year in office. She emphasized the importance of establishing a comprehensive water resource strategy. "We are on the cusp of coming up with that strategic plan that I'd like to see in place before I'm out of office," Kelly said. "As I've said before, I don't expect to solve the water problem by the time I leave, but I would like in place a structure and a funding source that will insure that we can address water."
The governor also committed to launching the new Office of Early Childhood by July 1, aiming to consolidate programs and improve services for children across the state. "We will spend and invest a lot of energy to make sure," Kelly noted. "Part of the point of the Office of Early Childhood is to be more efficient, so I'm hoping that we won't be looking at needing money."
