Governor Kelly Issues Statement on Consequences of State Legislature’s 1.5% Cuts to State Agencies

TOPEKA - The Kansas Legislature passed into law Senate Bill 125, which mandates state agencies reduce their State General Fund state fiscal year 2026 (SFY26) budget by 1.5%. Governor Laura Kelly issued the following statement in response to agencies implementing the Legislature’s 1.5% cut at the beginning of SFY26:

“As governor, I have worked to get Kansas back on the right fiscal track and provide Kansans with the resources they need to prosper without risking the future of the state. I share the Legislature’s goal to reduce spending where possible and to increase efficiency in state government. However, the Legislature’s mandate to cut state agencies’ budgets across the board is not the way to increase efficiency. A blanket cut is neither targeted nor thoughtful.

"Instead, the Legislature’s blanket budget reduction results in millions of dollars in funding losses to agencies managing programs that are vital lifelines for the most vulnerable Kansans: children, people with disabilities, seniors. At a time when federal funding is withdrawn, withheld, or outright cancelled, the effects of the Legislature’s blanket cuts will be compounded. Despite challenges posed at both the state and federal levels, my administration remains committed to serving the people of Kansas.”