Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Democratic Party are facing challenges in 2025, as their vetoes on a ban on gender-affirming care and restrictions for mail-in voting were overturned by the Republican-led Legislature. The bipartisan compromise that was hoped for at the beginning of the session seems out of reach.
On a national level, the Trump administration’s policies have put Democratic state leaders, including Gov. Kelly, in a difficult position with attacks on state funding, immigration, and higher education. The recently approved state budget has left Kansas with a projected deficit of $460 million by 2028, causing concern for Gov. Kelly.
In an interview with KCUR’s Up To Date, Gov. Kelly expressed worry about the impact of the budget, stating that it could lead the state back to a “very bad period of time in Kansas history.” She hopes that lawmakers will reconsider the budget or call a special session after new revenue estimates are released later in the month.
The financial challenges facing Kansas are emblematic of the broader political landscape in which Democratic governors are forced to navigate tough decisions and push back against policies that threaten their states’ financial stability and values. Gov. Kelly’s leadership in addressing these challenges will be crucial in determining the future of Kansas.
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