Gov. Laura Kelly's message to state employees: 'I believe in you'

Gov. Laura Kelly trumpeted her support for state workers and efforts to improve agency leadership during an appreciation event for government employees Wednesday at the Statehouse.

“I know these have been challenging times,” Kelly said. “I don’t have to tell you how deeply the workforce was cut in Kansas agencies. Often, they were cut to the point where you were just trying to get by and keep your heads above water. I know that feeling, and I hate that feeling. And I’m committed to changing it.”

Kelly, a Democrat, said the decimation of state services was a factor in her decision to run for governor. Supply-side tax cuts favored by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback presented yearly budget challenges for the state.

When Kelly submitted her proposed budget in January, she asked for a pay raise for state employees. They will get a 2.5 percent increase under the budget adopted by lawmakers. Kelly also noted that one of her first actions as governor was to sign an executive order protecting LGBTQ state employees from discrimination.

Read more: https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190508/gov-laura-kellys-message-to-state-employees-i-believe-in-you