On Wednesday, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly delivered her seventh State of the State address, emphasizing her administration’s achievements and outlining priorities for the final two years in office. She highlighted key accomplishments, including fully funding public schools for six years, balancing the budget, and cutting taxes by $2 billion, including eliminating the grocery tax. Investments in infrastructure, education, and economic development have attracted businesses, created jobs, and improved financial stability, earning the state three credit rating upgrades.

Looking ahead, Gov. Kelly outlined long-term goals focusing on children, education, water resources, and economic growth. Proposed initiatives include creating an Office of Early Childhood, fully funding schools, combating childhood hunger through free lunches, and addressing the water supply crisis with a $90 million annual investment and a sustainability plan.

Kelly called for bipartisan solutions, stressing support for public schools, fiscal responsibility, and Medicaid expansion. However, with a Republican supermajority in the legislature, her agenda may face challenges. Key Republican priorities include property tax relief, tax code simplification, and measures on foreign land ownership, abortion, and transgender issues. Kelly’s full budget proposal will be released Thursday.