Legislative highlights under Governor Laura Kelly

Governor Laura Kelly shaped Kansas legislation in 2025 through significant initiatives and responses to diverse issues. She displayed support for economic growth by approving incentives for Fiserv's large-scale office recruitment to Overland Park, which promises substantial private investment and jobs. Kelly's administration also supported Merck's major expansion project in De Soto, showcasing Kansas as an attractive business landscape. She addressed election integrity concerns by allowing the law on impersonating election officials to pass without her signature, despite her reservations.

In contrast, Kelly faced challenges when the Legislature overrode her veto on a bill banning gender-affirming care for trans minors, highlighting political divisions. Additionally, the enactment of a new background check requirement for state employees reflects her administration’s responsiveness to governance issues following an incident involving a previously convicted official.

NO. 1: KANSANS NEED PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. HERE’S HOW TO DO IT AND FULLY FUND OUR SCHOOLS, TOO | OPINION

The tax burden is tilted against single homeowners and those with lower incomes. There’s a fairer way. | Opinion | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Shirley Christian

Protesters demonstrate outside the Kansas Capitol on Feb. 5. Numerous protesters voiced objections to the Kansas Legislature’s efforts to enact a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. That bill will now become law after lawmakers successfully voted to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto. By Matthew Kelly

NO. 2: TRANS MINORS IN KANSAS WILL NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO CARE AFTER LEGISLATURE OVERRIDES VETO

Physicians currently administering gender-affirming care to minors will have until Dec. 31 to cease treatment or risk losing their medical licenses. | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

Melissa Etheridge, who sang the National Anthem last year at the NWSL Championship at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, is the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Governor’s Award from Kansas governor Laura Kelly. By Emily Curiel

NO. 3: KANSAS ARTS AWARD HONORS MELISSA ETHERIDGE FOR SHARING STATE’S GREATNESS WITH THE WORLD

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and the Kansas Arts Commission announced recipients of the 2025 Kansas Governor’s Arts Awards at a ceremony in Topeka. | Published March 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lisa Gutierrez

Jonathan Clayton’s role in a grant awarded to the Mullinville Community Foundation has come under scrutiny. By Neil Nakahodo

NO. 4: KANSAS HAS A NEW LAW ON BACKGROUND CHECKS AFTER STATE MISSED EX-OFFICIAL’S FRAUD

A December state audit found that the Department of Commerce does not perform background checks on job applicants. | Published April 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly

Vacant land sits is seen along Nall Avenue from about 115th Street (top right) to 119th Street, (top left) near the Aspira Campus in Overland Park on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2024. The campus includes several five story parking garages. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 5: KANSAS UNVEILS MYSTERY COMPANY GETTING HISTORIC PERKS FOR JOBS IN JOHNSON COUNTY

Fintech company Fiserv will be moving into the former Sprint campus in Overland Park, bringing high-paying jobs in exchange for major state incentives as part of a deal dubbed Project Turtle. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor O’Connor

NO. 6: MERCK’S $895M EXPANSION IS LATEST IN WAVE OF WESTERN JOHNSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENTS

The project is the second largest private investment in Kansas history. | Published May 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Taylor O’Connor

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly. By Emily Curiel

NO. 7: KELLY ALLOWS KANSAS ELECTION OFFICIAL IMPERSONATION BILL TO BECOME LAW

Prosecutors must prove that people accused of falsely representing themselves as election officials acted with the intent to deceive. | Published May 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tyler Kirby

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.