Gov. Laura Kelly vows to mend child safety net, ditch 'all-punitive' prison model

WICHITA — Gov. Laura Kelly joined a couple of hundred loyalists Tuesday to feast on the new reality of Kansas politics.

Kelly, a Democrat in GOP-rich Kansas moving through her first legislative session as governor, prevailed upon the House and Senate to approve a $90 million raise in state aid to public education. Kansas’ chief executive vetoed the massive tax-cut legislation viewed as a top priority of Republicans. And, the governor is applying heat on Senate leadership to allow debate on the House-passed bill expanding Medicaid.

She is advocating for overhaul of the state prison system, repealing portions of a law limiting access to welfare programs and expressed no interest in signing legislation enabling 18-year-olds to carry concealed firearms.

None of these positions would have crossed Republican gubernatorial nominee Kris Kobach’s lips if elected in November.

Read more: https://www.hdnews.net/news/20190410/gov-laura-kelly-vows-to-mend-child-safety-net-ditch-all-punitive-prison-model