Kansas

Governor Kelly celebrated seven straight years of fully funded schools, resulting in the highest graduation rates ever and strong Blueprint for Literacy results. She proposed funding to move students on reduced-price meals to entirely free meals, called for a bipartisan cell phone ban during the school day (thanking Majority Leader Blasi and Minority Leader Sykes), and recognized specific educators who shaped her daughters' lives to underscore the value of teachers.

Governor Kelly highlighted significant progress in mental health services, including implementing the 988 Crisis Hotline, expanding Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, increasing school-based mental health services, and a new state psychiatric hospital in South Central Kansas. She also noted a renovated facility at Lansing Correctional for substance abuse treatment.

Governor Kelly highlighted landing the Kansas City Chiefs stadium and $30 billion in new business investment creating over 80,000 jobs. She noted CNBC named Kansas second in the country for cost of living and emphasized cutting over $1 billion per year in taxes including eliminating the sales tax on food. She credited bipartisan cooperation for economic success and highlighted companies like Urban Outfitters, Panasonic, and Boeing investing in the state.

Governor Kelly celebrated the Kansas City Chiefs stadium deal as transformative infrastructure, the closing of the 'Bank of KDOT' to properly invest in highways, and connecting over 117,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet. She called addressing the state's water crisis a top priority, urging the legislature to identify a dedicated funding source similar to what has been done for highways.

Governor Kelly reported crime in Kansas is at a 20-year low, attributing it to record funding for law enforcement. She emphasized bipartisan accomplishments in public safety without detailing specific initiatives, noting that the record-low crime rates speak to the collaborative approach taken.

Governor Kelly identified the water crisis as a critical priority, calling on the legislature to support the Water Task Force in developing a comprehensive long-term strategy with a dedicated funding source. She emphasized it as "not a partisan issue" and time-sensitive, urging leaders to look beyond the next election to the next generation.

Governor Kelly did not make housing a central theme but mentioned it in the context of workforce challenges, noting that every business considering moving to Kansas asks about workforce housing.

Governor Kelly highlighted responsible budget management that turned inherited deficits into surpluses, with a $2 billion rainy day fund and strong credit rating. She noted over $1 billion per year in tax cuts including eliminating the food sales tax (saving families $500/year), eliminating income tax on Social Security, and cutting taxes for seniors, parents, and farmers. She credited CNBC naming Kansas second in the country for cost of living.

Governor Kelly discussed the transformative impact of technology on daily life over the past decade, including remote work and AI. She called for a bipartisan cell phone ban during the school day, thanking legislative leaders for their work on the issue. She also noted investments in high-speed internet connecting over 117,000 homes and businesses.

Governor Kelly identified the water crisis as a top legislative priority requiring dedicated long-term funding similar to the highway system. She highlighted economic wins in agricultural communities, including the Hilmar Cheese facility in Ford County, and noted that the state's Office of Rural Prosperity and broadband investments support agricultural communities.

Governor Kelly noted that Kansas completely eliminated the state income tax on Social Security, benefiting military retirees, and cut taxes for seniors on fixed incomes. She also highlighted record funding for law enforcement and noted that crime is at a 20-year low.

Governor Kelly highlighted passing 587 bipartisan bills during her administration and emphasized fiscal management that turned inherited deficits into surpluses with a $2 billion rainy day fund. She created the Office of Early Childhood by blending 20 programs into one, and closed the 'Bank of KDOT' to restore proper infrastructure investment.

Governor Kelly highlighted creating the Office of Early Childhood, blending 20 programs into one single point of contact. She noted a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield for a 160-slot child care facility near the Capitol. She proposed funding to allow students on reduced-price meals to move to free meals and included budget funding to increase mental health services, including a new state psychiatric hospital and renovated facilities for substance abuse treatment.

Governor Kelly highlighted over $1 billion per year in tax cuts including eliminating the sales tax on food (saving $500/year per family), eliminating state income tax on Social Security, and cutting taxes for parents and farmers. She noted CNBC named Kansas second in the country for cost of living. She emphasized these cuts were possible through responsible budgeting and economic growth generating over $30 billion in new business investment.