Nov. 10, Gov. Laura Kelly came to Pittsburg as part of her “People’s Budget Listening Tour.” The event featured remarks from Kelly and Adam Proffitt, secretary of administration and director of the budget. A large part of the event was a question-and-answer session. People from the community came and brought concerns about many things.
The event doubled as a food drive as well. Executive Director of Wesley House, Matt O’Malley, was presenting and taking food donations.
As people walked in, they brought in items to donate. When everyone got settled, Kelly started off the event talking about her care for the budget and her reason for the tour.
“Many who work with me understand that I am absolutely obsessed with the state budget,” Kelly said. “I believe it is one of, if not the most important responsibilities that I have as governor. Done correctly, a state budget is crafted to ensure that it meets the needs and reflects the values of Kansans, but just as important that it is sustainable over time. That is why Secretary Proffitt and I, are crisscrossing the state. We want to hear directly from Kansas. We want to know what your priorities are.”
The community asked many questions of a wide variety, covering topics such as substance abuse treatment, property taxes, “special needs education,” and Medicaid.
On the topic of property tax relief in the budget, Kelly stated in response that the issue is currently at the local level but would like the state level more involved.
“Most of it is done one the local level,” Kelly said. “I think we do at the state level need to take a different look at how we address the property tax issues in our state.”
Sarah Bahr, a licensed clinical addiction counselor and social worker, brought up concerns with waitlists for uninsured individuals in need of substance abuse treatment. Kelly said there is a new state psychiatric facility being built in Wichita.
“I mentioned in my remarks that we are building a 100-bed facility in Wichita,” Kelly said. “It’ll be a new state psychiatric facility.”
Kelly also said there have been generic mental health improvements that have been made in Kansas, especially in schools.
“School districts are contracting with our local community health providers and mental health providers,” Kelly said. “So, we’ve got those professionals in the school building, year-round.”
Superintendent of Fort Scott Schools, Destry Brown, and others, asked about school funding issues. Kelly responded with her goals for “special education.”
“I think in terms of special education, it’s my intent to present to the legislature a process to get to full funding of special education,” Kelly said.
Representatives of individuals with “special needs” asked about the waiver program. Medicaid cuts were also brought up.
“People say, ‘when it hits Kansas, it won’t hit as hard because we didn’t expand Medicaid,’ but that is untrue,” Kelly said.
Before the floor was open to questions, Kelly and Proffitt discussed the history of Kansas’ economics.
Kelly said that there was a “downward spiral from 2012 through 2018.” She discussed former Governor Sam Brownback’s “2012 tax experiment” and said that taxes were “cut so deep, the economy tanked.”
“When I took office in 2019, Kansas was a fiscal wreck,” Kelly said.
Proffit went on to say that Kansas is now out of debt and has a savings account, and with that, he says, there are opportunities.
“It provides us an opportunity to really invest in my critical programs in Kansas so that we can continue to drive the state forward,” Proffitt said.
This year, the legislature and budget looked different, he stated. Normally, the governor writes a budget, then sends to the legislature to look over, but according to Proffitt, this year the legislature decided to write a budget.
Proffitt noted, “It caused a lot of confusion … and it was inefficient.”