TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly has vetoed five bills.
The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2043:
“For the last several years, the Legislature has promised to solve the property tax issue for Kansans. This has always been a false promise. The only property tax that the state levies is 20 mills for public schools. All other property taxes are levied at the local level.
“Knowing that legislators were anxious to tell their constituents they had done something to alleviate their property tax burden this session, I offered a three pronged, workable approach: a one-time $250 reduction on their car tax; a permanent increase from $75k to $150K exemption from the state mill levy for schools on their home; and a $60million fund to help counties mitigate property tax increases.
“Legislative leadership never allowed legislators to discuss or vote on my proposal. Instead, they ramrodded through another sure-to-fail, untenable property tax bill.
“I don’t dispute that property taxes in Kansas are too high. I have been saying that since 2012 when the disastrous “tax experiment” focused on income tax reduction that primarily benefitted those at the top. Those ill-advised cuts drastically reduced revenues coming into state coffers. The state responded by, among other things, cutting support to local communities for vital services, leaving our counties and cities to pick up the slack. Those additional burdens make it very difficult for our municipalities to hold the line on property taxes.
“It is time for the Legislature to partner with our city and county officials to develop a strategy to reduce the property tax burden on their constituents and return to the balanced “three-legged stool” approach to taxes — sales, income and property — that Kansas needs to thrive.
“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2043.”
The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Substitute for House Bill 2111:
“While HB 2111 may be well-intentioned, this legislation was not requested by the agri-tourism industry at large. Rather, it was requested by a single entity and rammed through the legislative process at the last minute. It is irresponsible for the Legislature to rush to amend state law on behalf of a single entity when the changes contained in this bill could have far-reaching negative consequences for the agri-tourism industry as a whole.
“Additionally, this bill overrides local governments’ ability to enforce their own building codes, regulations, and ordinances on the new class of agri-tourism entities created by this bill. I do not support the Legislature’s continued attempts to infringe on local control and this bill is another example of that. Cities and counties are best positioned to partner with agri-tourism businesses to develop and enforce regulatory structures that foster this diversified revenue stream while protecting the health and safety of Kansans.
“Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I hereby veto Senate Substitute for House Bill 2111.”
The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2515:
“I have made it a priority during my administration to find ways to reduce the tax burden for Kansans, best evidenced by the elimination of both the food sales tax and the state income tax on social security. I have also made it a priority to protect the state’s ability to meet its obligations to fund schools, build roads, take care of foster children and other essential services, while ensuring the long-term financial health of the state. I have done this by consistently rejecting proposals that diminish state resources while benefitting just a select subsection of Kansas citizens. HB 2515 fits into that category.
“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2515.”
The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2044:
“This bill contains issues that warrant serious discussion by the Legislature. The discussion should take place using traditional legislative procedures and within the context of other discussions related to taxes. Those discussions should then be juxtapositioned with budget issues to ensure that, should it be enacted, the state can continue to meet its obligations and remain fiscally sound long term.
“That process did not occur regarding this bill.
“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2044.”
The following veto message is from Governor Kelly regarding her veto of House Bill 2763:
“I wholeheartedly believe that elementary students need a minimum of 30 minutes recess every school day. Recess contributes to the physical health of children and enhances their ability to learn. I also support implementation of a State Fitness Test to be administered annually, as required for participation in the federal Rural Health Transformation grant program.
“The leadership of State Board of Education and the Kansas State Department of Education have agreed to begin taking the steps to implement the Fitness Test once federal guidance is provided to states. They will further reaffirm their recommendation that elementary schools provide a minimum of 30 minutes of recess every school day and work with any school districts not currently following their recommendation to facilitate implementation wherever feasible.
“I appreciate the State Board of Education’s willingness to use its constitutional authority to modify curriculum requirements mandated in HB 2763.
“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2763.”
