Kansas Senate passes budget, bound for governor’s desk

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Kansas Senate on Friday passed a budget bill, 26-12, sending it to the desk of Governor Laura Kelly.

The budget includes $4.5 million to support the Kansas court systems after a cyberattack last October and those whose information may have been impacted.

It also includes $5 million to support an intercity rail service, such as the Amtrak Heartland Flyer by transferring funds from the State Highway Fund for grants and loans.

Waivers for disabled Kansans will increase by 500 each for those with developmental or physical disabilities. The funding totals $45.8 million including $17.8 million from the state.

The Kansas constitution gives the governor power to veto individual items in the budget once she receives it.

Among the items that could be axed are $15.7 million to send the Kansas National Guard to the United States’ southern border, and $37.5 for state universities to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requirements from their applications, admissions, hiring, or promotion processes.

It’s unclear whether the House or Senate has the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto by Kelly on the issues.