TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Republican legislators on Wednesday reversed actions by Kansas Democratic governor to reshape the state budget to her liking, but they couldnt save a GOP tax relief plan and had their work briefly delayed by a loud protest in favor of expanding Medicaid.
The GOP-controlled Legislature overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys vetoes of several items in the next state budget, including an extra $51 million payment to the states public pension system to help boost its long-term financial stability. She had argued for socking away more funds in the states cash reserves as a hedge against a future economic downturn.
Republicans failed to override Kellys veto of a tax bill aimed at providing relief to businesses and individuals paying more in state income taxes because of changes in federal tax laws at the end of 2017. The governor argued that it would decimate the state budget as it saved taxpayers roughly $240 million over three years.
Lawmakers last scheduled day in session, often short and quiet in past years, turned raucous because of a protest for Medicaid expansion in the Senate gallery. When demonstrators refused to stop singing and chanting, the Senate halted its work to clear the gallery and floor and a Capitol Police officer required reporters to leave the chamber temporarily.
Kellys inability to win passage of a plan to expand the states Medicaid health coverage for up to 150,000 additional people was her biggest setback since taking office in January. The House passed a plan in March but the Senate didnt debate it because GOP leaders wanted further study and a vote on the issue next year.
Lord, hear our prayer! We want health care! the Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan, a Unitarian minister from Topeka, shouted from the gallery as the Senate took up budget issues.
Kelly has clashed with top Republicans most on taxes, pension funding and Medicaid expansion. Supporters say Medicaid expansion would provide health coverage to tens of thousands of poor and working-class families who cannot afford any private insurance or who are struggling to pay for it. Republican critics fear it would prove expensive for the state despite the federal governments promise to cover most of the cost.
Lawmakers approved a record $18.4 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins in July, with extra money for public schools, higher education, social services and prisons.
The pension system for Kansas teachers and government workers is less than 70 percent funded over the long-term and GOP leaders argue that any extra step to close the gap is worth doing.
This particular funding is just another step to getting this 800-pound gorilla off of our back, said state Rep. Jim Kelly, a moderate Republican from southeastern Kansas who isnt related to the goveror.
Laura Kelly also vetoed extra funds for community mental health centers and money targeted to reading and technical education programs in public schools.
Republican leaders had lawmakers vote on all of the budget vetoes in one package to increase their chances of getting the needed two-thirds majorities to override them. The votes were 27-11 in the Senate and 86-30 in the House, where four Democrats broke with the governor.
Those were the worst things ever to cut from the budget, said Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a conservative Kansas City-area Republican.
But Rep. Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat, chided Republicans for supporting the additional spending while pursuing tax relief that he said would make the spending harder to sustain. Laura Kellys spokeswoman, Ashley All, said GOP lawmakers failed to exercise fiscal responsibility.
The House voted 78-39 to override the governors veto of the tax bill, but supporters needed 84 votes for a two-thirds majority in the 125-member chamber. Kelly also vetoed a larger GOP tax relief bill in March, and in Wednesdays vote, six Republicans broke ranks with their leaders.
