Gov. Laura Kelly is taking a cautious approach to spending taxpayer money. Her proposed budget for Kansas anticipates just a 0.7% increase on the already approved 2025 budget. As a result, the state can’t afford large increases in government services.

"The Kansas our grandkids will inherit is up to us right now," Gov. Laura Kelly told Kansas lawmakers in her 2025 State of the State address.

Kansas budget director Adam Proffitt delivers Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's budget proposal to the Republican-led Kansas Legislature.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced her annual budget. In a news release from her office, Kelly -- a Democratic governor in her second term in office -- said her fiscal year 2026 budget is balanced and continues to fully fund Kansas’ K-12 public schools.

Governor Laura Kelly unveiled her 2025 budget, emphasizing fully funding Kansas public schools, expanding child care slots, providing free school meals, and increasing water funding by $30 million. Learn more about her priorities.

Adam Proffitt, budget director for Gov. Laura Kelly, outlined for members of the Kansas Legislature the Democratic governor’s blueprint for a new state budget. The package included spending on schools, water and child-care priorities. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

The Democratic governor is once again proposing the state expand eligibility for Medicaid, but Republican leaders will almost certainly not allow a vote on it.