Kansas – Governor Laura Kelly announced her annual balanced budget on Thursday, continuing full funding for Kansas’ K-12 schools and focusing on education, workforce development, water resources, and healthcare.
Key elements include:
– **Full K-12 funding** for the seventh year and $72.6 million for special education.
– **$13.4 million** to expand child care and build workforce capacity.
– **Free school meals** for 35,000 students.
– **$500,000** to cover AP test fees for low-income students.
– **$90 million** for water infrastructure, including funding for small towns and farmers.
– **Medicaid expansion** for 150,000 Kansans, bringing back over $1 billion in federal funds.
– **$50 million** investment in higher education, including need-based aid and cybersecurity.
– **$9 million** to support Kansas’ foster care system and behavioral health.
– **$1 million** for agriculture research to improve water-saving crops.
– **$2 million** for healthcare facility improvements.
– **Public safety investments** for law enforcement and the Department of Corrections.
Governor Kelly’s budget ensures fiscal stability, while addressing immediate and long-term needs across the state.