Kansas Gov. approves $17 billion budget but rejects DEI, crisis pregnancy center provisions
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly approved a $17 billion budget but rejected several provisions, including GOP policies contained in it to limit universities’ ability to ask job applicants about diversity, equity and inclusion and funding for anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers.
In a statement Friday, Kelly expressed support for the overall funding plan for the state government but issued several statements explaining her line-item vetoes of pieces she could not support.
“The hallmark of our higher education system is its commitment to facilitating open dialogue that allows students to learn, grow, and challenge their thinking,” Kelly said in a statement that went on to say the DEI provision limited universities’ ability to do that.
The crisis pregnancy center funding, she said, required the state treasurer to act beyond their traditional responsibilities to oversee funding for unregulated entities.
The limits on diversity, equity and inclusion in university hiring were promoted by Republicans in the House and Senate who worried Kansas colleges were asking hires to subscribe to a particular frame of thinking.
But the policy in the budget included carve outs that significantly narrowed its scope. If DEI expertise is necessary to an individual’s field universities would be allowed to ask about it. And the provision specifically said it would not be construed to limit academic freedom or prevent compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws.
Critics of the policy, however, said it unnecessarily intruded on the colleges by letting politicians decide whether DEI questions are appropriate rather than administrators.
Crisis pregnancy centers
The $2 million for crisis pregnancy centers would be used to establish a new state “alternatives to abortion” program. Anti-abortion lawmakers say the funding is necessary to ensure women who choose to keep their pregnancy have the help they need.
But abortion rights supporters have long criticized the centers for failing to provide a full range of medical services and misleading or pressuring women who are seeking abortions.
In a statement House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, criticized the number of line-item vetoes Kelly applied to the budget. In total she rejected 15 items in the bill.
“The ‘middle of the road’ governor vetoed everything from supporting women in need, to a provision preventing the promotion of radical ideology to be advanced with tax payer dollars at our state universities, to even making it harder for Kansas youth to enjoy outdoor activities,” Hawkins said. “Rest assured, the legislature will examine each of these line items and will take up overrides on several of them next week.”
The budget bill also includes $6 million to develop a foster care therapeutic program and nearly $7 million for a new Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter.
Lawmakers return to Topeka next month where they will write a final budget for the year.
At that time, lawmakers will consider a 5% pay raise for state employees proposed by Kelly, valued at $170 million.
Lawmakers will also consider separate legislation to fund K-12 schools for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
The Star’s Jonathan Shorman contributed reporting.
This story was originally published April 21, 2023 at 2:15 PM.
