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The Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University has released the 2025 Kansas Speaks Survey, which gauges public opinion on key issues affecting the state. The online survey gathered responses from 526 Kansas residents, ages 18 and older, covering topics such as quality of life, economic outlook, elected officials’ performance, healthcare access, water conservation, artificial intelligence, and various public policy issues.

This year’s findings show that 27.7% of Kansans rate the state’s economy as excellent or very good, while only 17.5% rate the national economy the same. Nearly 47% of respondents expressed concern that Kansas’ economic conditions could affect their family’s welfare, a slight increase from last year.

The survey also found strong support for several policy issues: about 70% favor legalizing medical marijuana, 59% back recreational marijuana, and nearly 70% support Medicaid expansion. Around 80% support raising the state’s minimum wage.

Full results of the survey are available here.

The Docking Institute collaborated with Wichita State University’s Alexandra Middlewood and Emporia State University’s Michael Smith on this year’s survey.