Kansas Legislature’s debate exposes bitter dissent, and buried treasure, in the spending bill

Kansas Legislature sends to Gov. Laura Kelly a new state government budget falling short of recommendations she submitted to lawmakers in January.

By: Tim Carpenter, Sherman Smith

Outlets: Kansas Reflector

Published: March 27, 2026

Words: 1,594

Last Updated: 4 months ago

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TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature approved a state budget bill early Friday by working around bipartisan opposition that even lawmakers voting for it could echo.

The Senate passed the bill 23-17 and the House followed at 67-53, but dissenting Republicans and Democrats in both chambers made their displeasure known.

When the dust cleared, thin majorities sent Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly an appropriations bill spending vastly more than the state anticipated to receive in …

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