Gov. Laura Kelly is taking a cautious approach to spending taxpayer money. Her proposed budget for Kansas anticipates just a 0.7% increase on the already approved 2025 budget. As a result, the state can’t afford large increases in government services.

"The Kansas our grandkids will inherit is up to us right now," Gov. Laura Kelly told Kansas lawmakers in her 2025 State of the State address.

The Democratic governor is once again proposing the state expand eligibility for Medicaid, but Republican leaders will almost certainly not allow a vote on it.

Gov. Laura Kelly’s seventh State of the State speech on Wednesday called for investing in water resources and public schools, streamlining early childhood regulation, pursuing a sustainable tax policy and expanding Medicaid.

Kansas budget director Adam Proffitt delivers Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's budget proposal to the Republican-led Kansas Legislature.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced her annual budget. In a news release from her office, Kelly -- a Democratic governor in her second term in office -- said her fiscal year 2026 budget is balanced and continues to fully fund Kansas’ K-12 public schools.