Kansas lawmakers overturn governor's veto, restoring KPERS funding

Kansas lawmakers on Wednesday overturned Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of an unscheduled $51 million contribution to public employee pensions and other provisions she struck from the $18 billion state spending plan.

The Senate and House both carried the two-thirds majority needed to override the budget item vetoes before bringing this year’s session to its ceremonial close.

Republicans blasted the Democratic governor’s decision to block the payment to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System and funding set aside for mental health programs.

Kelly urged lawmakers to set aside funds in the interest of fiscal responsibility, saying the extra KPERS payment was unnecessary. Funding for the other vetoed items, Kelly said, was found within existing state revenue streams.

Read more: https://www.cjonline.com/news/20190529/kansas-lawmakers-overturn-governors-veto-restoring-kpers-funding