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United WE, a national nonprofit advancing women’s economic and civic leadership, held its Kansas Public Policy Coalition Virtual Meeting on June 12, 2025. Governor Laura Kelly joined the discussion, emphasizing the creation of the new Office of Early Childhood and the passage of House Bill 2045 as major steps toward improving access to affordable childcare in Kansas.

Governor Kelly called early childhood education central to her administration’s goals. HB 2045 simplifies licensing, reduces fees, and creates more career pathways for childcare providers—aiming to boost access, support providers, and help parents stay in the workforce.

She also encouraged more businesses to utilize Kansas’s childcare tax credit, which offers incentives for employers who support childcare services or costs for their employees. Kelly praised public-private efforts like the Blue Cross Blue Shield childcare center in Topeka and reaffirmed her commitment to bipartisanship, economic growth, and long-term water planning.

She commended United WE’s research and advocacy for helping remove barriers to quality, affordable childcare.