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The five most debated Kansas issues under Gov. Kelly in 2025

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Kansas politics in 2025 stirred sharp debate over free speech, religious expression, and fiscal priorities. Disputes over who could access the Kansas Capitol highlighted tensions between groups like the Satanic Grotto and Catholic protesters. The possibility of property tax cuts sparked heated conversations between Gov. Kelly and the GOP, especially over protecting school funding.

A missed deadline for certifying presidential votes revealed administrative conflicts between Kelly’s office and the Secretary of State. Business competition with Missouri, particularly over sports teams like the Chiefs and Royals, reignited concerns about interstate economic policies.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.

NO. 1: KANSAS GOV. KELLY OPENS DOOR TO PROPERTY TAX CUTS AMID GOP PRESSURE. BUT SHE’S RELUCTANT

The Democratic governor made clear she would prefer discussions about tax cuts to take place next year. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Kelly Jonathan Shorman

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab. By Evert Nelson/The Capital-Journal

NO. 2: HOW A DISPUTE BETWEEN STATE LEADERS ALMOST COST 1.3M KANSANS THEIR PRESIDENTIAL VOTES

Should a formal election certificate include the abbreviation “A.D.?” | Published January 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniel Desrochers

An aerial view of Truman Sports Complex

NO. 3: MISSOURI-KANSAS ‘BORDER WAR’ TRUCE EXPIRES SOON. WILL CHIEFS, ROYALS FIGHT DERAIL DEAL?

Missouri lawmakers want to keep an economic ceasefire alive — even as Kansas mounts an aggressive effort to lure the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals across the border. | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kacen Bayless Jonathan Shorman Matthew Kelly Cayli Yanagida

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. 4: 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

NO. 5: WE SATANISTS HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO USE THE KANSAS CAPITOL, JUST LIKE CATHOLIC PROTESTERS | OPINION

Gov. Laura Kelly’s office denied the Satanic Grotto its legal permit to use the rotunda for a Black Mass. The church intends to do it anyway. | Opinion | Published March 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Stewart

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.