TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) – From the state’s economy to a focus on bipartisanship, Governor Laura Kelly’s final State of the State Address covered a lot.
She started her speech by highlighting bringing the Kansas City Chiefs to the Sunflower State.
“Their world-class stadium, which opens five years from now, will make Kansas a sports and entertainment mecca,” said Kelly. “We’ll compete to host Super Bowls, Final Fours, concerts, and so much more. Thousands of new jobs and billions in new economic activity.”
KCK Mayor Christal Watson, Mayor of Olathe John Bacon, and the president of the Chiefs Mark Donovan attended the State of the State Address and were recognized by Kelly.
The governor noted this was not only a “massive win” for Kansas, but for the entire region. She stated it, among other things, was made possible by bipartisanship in negotiations between the state and the team.
“Since the beginning of my administration, by using this approach, we’ve been able to enact into law 587 bipartisan bills,” said Kelly. “That’s 587 times coming together, across the aisle – in today’s politics. That’s something we should all be proud of.”
Kelly also highlighted the work done to cut taxes for Kansans, budget responsibly, and grow the state’s economy.
“In total, new businesses have invested over $30 billion in Kansas,” said Kelly. That’s 30 billion dollars. And created over 80,000 new good-paying jobs. These are careers that Kansans can build their lives around. And it happened because we worked together.”
Looking ahead to what will be her last legislative session as governor, Kelly noted items she will be focusing on, including funding in her budget proposal for free meals for students across the state, a bipartisan proposal to ban cell phone use during the school day that she supports, more resources towards mental health, and a long-term strategy for the water crisis in western Kansas.
Main messages in her last State of the State Address focused on bipartisanship and civility.
“We must have the courage to treat each other with respect, regardless of the intensity of debate and discourse,” said Kelly. “We must have the courage to put what’s right ahead of what’s politically expedient. We must have the courage to put compromise ahead of party purity. This moment in our politics requires it. And make no mistake, it’s also what the people of Kansas want.”
She ended her speech by saying Kansas has made a positive name for itself in the last few years, but there’s more work to be done. She added it will take civility to continue facing challenges down the road.
“Big things are happening in our small state,” said Kelly. “And there are more big things to come if we work together. We must live up to our state motto, Ad Astra Per Aspera, and show America that civility in our politics is still possible. That civility is what brings us together. And that civility is a winning formula. For governing. And for life itself.”
For the Republican response, Senate Leader Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins took questions from the media. Masterson commented on Kelly’s statement on balancing the state’s budget, saying the state received billions of dollars in COVID relief. He added his concerns with the state’s budget going forward with no additional pandemic funds from the federal government.
Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson taking questions from the media as the Republican response to Gov. Kelly’s State of the State Address(KCTV/Chandler Watkins)
“Our expenses are up; inflation is way up,” said Masterson. “The hard part wasn’t then. She’s the luckiest governor I think I’ve ever seen. She was handed billions of dollars. I feel sorry for whoever is governor next.”
Masterson said the main items they will be focusing on this legislative session are the budget and property taxes. He says that was a number one priority for a majority of Kansans he’s spoken to across the state.
On Tuesday, state legislators to discuss a proposed constitutional amendment. It aims to keep property taxes down, by putting a 3% limit on assessment value increases. Masterson believes a constitutional amendment is the best approach.
“This is ultimately something that is going to have to be decided by the people,” said Masterson. “The way property is assessed right now can’t be solved by a statute. We have to address the constitution. That’s why we’re hoping to get something on the ballot this year that allows the people to vote on it.”
On Kelly’s message of civility, both agreed with the sentiment, adding they’ve addressed it with lawmakers years ago and have good working relationships with the minority leaders in both chambers. With the exception of a few “incidents”, Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins believes the chambers are civil.
“Ty and I addressed it three years ago,” said Hawkins. “If you look back years before us, not even the Senate President and the Speaker of the House got along. In the last three years, you’ve seen two leaders who are always talking towards a solution, and our (legislative) bodies have followed along. Does that mean we agree on everything? No, but we work through those.”
On the proposed bill banning cell phones during the school day, they both expect it to pass through both chambers quickly. Hawkins added they would likely look at “clamping down” on social media accounts for children.
State lawmakers are back at the Capitol on Wednesday. Governor Kelly is also expected to release her budget proposal on Wednesday.
KCTV’s Chandler Watkins is in Topeka and will have updates following the address Tuesday night.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.