Week 14 Legislative Update: Voter Rolls, Free Speech, Budget Veto & Informed Consent

I want to share an important update on House Bill 2437 and why I supported the Legislature’s override of the Governor’s veto.

Keeping our voter rolls accurate is one of the most basic ways we ensure trust in our elections. Over time, records can become outdated when people move, pass away, or are no longer eligible to vote. This bill is about making sure we are using the tools available to keep those records current.

House Bill 2437 improves the process by requiring regular comparisons between Kansas voter registration records and the federal SAVE database, which helps verify citizenship status. Just as importantly, it includes safeguards to ensure no one is removed from the voter rolls without notification and an opportunity to confirm their eligibility.

The bill also strengthens coordination between state agencies. By incorporating updates from driver’s license records and death records, election officials will be better equipped to maintain accurate and up-to-date voter lists.

Protecting personal information is also a priority. The legislation requires that sensitive data used in these checks be handled securely and not publicly disclosed.

I supported this measure because it focuses on doing the fundamentals well—maintaining accurate voter rolls without creating unnecessary barriers for eligible voters.

The veto override passed with strong support: 84–39 in the House and 28–11 in the Senate.

My goal remains the same: to support policies that ensure our elections are secure, transparent, and accessible to every eligible voter.

KIRK Act Override

I supported the Legislature’s override of the Governor’s veto on House Bill 2333 because our colleges and universities should be places where ideas can be freely discussed, challenged, and debated.

There have been growing concerns that free speech on campus is not always applied consistently, with some students and organizations facing limits on where and how they can express lawful viewpoints. That undermines the purpose of higher education, which is to prepare students to engage with diverse perspectives.

This law establishes clear protections for free expression at public colleges and universities. It designates outdoor campus areas as public forums and allows lawful, noncommercial expression, provided it does not disrupt normal operations.

The bill also preserves important safeguards. Schools may enforce reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, but those policies must be clear, narrowly tailored, and viewpoint neutral—ensuring order without limiting speech based on content.

It further strengthens accountability by creating a path for enforcement when rights are violated, including action by individuals or the Attorney General. Student organizations are also protected from discrimination based on their political, ideological, or religious beliefs.

For students and families, this means greater confidence that Kansas colleges will respect free speech, encourage open dialogue, and remain accountable to the people they serve.

Rebuttal to the Governor’s Line-Item Veto of Section 26(a): Employee Compensation

I want to take a moment to clearly explain the Governor’s recent veto of the Legislature’s budget and what it means for the operation of state government.

The Governor line-item vetoed $24.7 million from the Legislature’s operating budget and eliminated the entire FY 2027 legislative budget of $38.2 million. This action removes a substantial portion of the funding required for the Legislature to function as a co-equal branch of government.

This veto is not simply about legislator pay. The affected funding supports the nonpartisan professionals who keep the Legislature running day to day—office assistants, committee assistants, and key institutional roles such as the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House. These individuals ensure committees function properly, legislation is processed accurately, and the work of the people is carried out efficiently. Eliminating this funding directly disrupts those core operations.

In her veto message, the Governor raised concerns about compensation, but that discussion omits important context.

Several years ago, the Legislature undertook a comprehensive effort to right-size compensation across all three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial. This was not unique to the Legislature. Judicial salaries, for example, increased by roughly 35 to 45 percent. During that same period, the Governor’s salary increased by 57.17 percent, from $110,707 to $174,000.

It is also important to recognize that legislators went from 2009 to 2025 without receiving any pay increase. Prior to the recent adjustment, legislators were paid a daily rate of $88.66—less than what many Kansans can earn in an entry-level hourly job. That reality limited who could realistically serve, often excluding working-class Kansans and those without independent financial means. The recent adjustment was intended to correct that imbalance and make public service more accessible.

Equally important, legislative compensation is not set by legislators themselves. Both the prior adjustment—which increased annual compensation from approximately $10,000 to about $43,000—and the current 4.4 percent increase were determined by an independent compensation board. The cost of the current adjustment is approximately $400,000.

At the same time, the Legislature has consistently worked to improve compensation for state employees. In 2018 and 2019, many employees received 2.5 percent increases, with some receiving 5 percent. In 2020, employees again received a 2.5 percent adjustment along with merit-based increases. In 2023, a 5 percent increase was funded.

More recently, the state adopted a market-based approach to compensation. In 2025, many employees received at least 5 percent increases—and in some cases well over 10 percent—depending on how far below market their roles were. In 2026, additional market adjustments were implemented, with many employees receiving 2.5 percent increases along with targeted increases. For FY 2027, the Legislature approved a 1 percent across-the-board increase for executive branch employees.

These actions reflect a consistent and measured effort to move state employee compensation closer to market rates over time.

The comparisons presented in the veto message do not account for differences in scale. For example, a 2.5 percent increase for executive branch employees would cost approximately $33 million, while the 1 percent increase approved this year costs $13.2 million. By contrast, the 4.4 percent legislative adjustment costs about $400,000. The Legislature also included a 10 percent adjustment for certain legislative staff—costing $1.8 million—to address ongoing recruitment and retention challenges.

Taken together, these are not comparable figures. The Legislature has pursued a balanced and fiscally responsible approach, improving compensation across government while remaining mindful of taxpayers.

Kansans deserve the full picture. I will continue working to ensure transparency, responsible budgeting, and that state government remains capable of effectively serving the people of Kansas.

Women’s Right to Know: Strengthening Informed Consent

I supported the override of the Governor’s veto on House Bill 2729 because I believe informed consent must be clear, consistent, and truly meaningful—especially when the decision involves the life of an unborn child.

Kansas law already requires that women receive certain information before an abortion so they can make an informed decision. This is an important safeguard, not only for women, but also in recognition of the value of every human life. However, the way information has been delivered has not always been consistent or easy to understand. In some cases, forms varied, information could be difficult to access, and the process created confusion rather than clarity at a critical moment.

House Bill 2729 addresses these concerns by requiring the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to create and provide a standardized informed consent form. This ensures that every woman receives the same clear, state-approved information, regardless of where she seeks care. It also allows that information to be provided electronically or in hard copy, making it easier to review thoughtfully and share with trusted family members or advisors.

I supported this approach because it promotes both transparency and accountability while helping ensure that women are fully informed before making a life-altering decision. True informed consent should never be rushed, unclear, or incomplete. It should empower women with accurate, accessible information, including an understanding of fetal development and available alternatives.

There were differing views on this bill, but I supported it because it strengthens existing law, improves consistency, and reinforces the principle that both women and unborn children deserve consideration and protection under the law.

The Legislature ultimately overrode the veto with strong support—87 to 36 in the House and 31 to 8 in the Senate.

For our community, this means clearer information, greater transparency, and a more reliable process for ensuring that women receive the facts they need. I will continue working to support policies that protect life, uphold informed consent, and ensure our laws serve both compassion and truth.

Closing

Thank you for your continued support—it truly means a great deal. If you ever have questions, concerns, or ideas you would like to share, please do not hesitate to reach out. Hearing from you helps ensure that the work being done reflects the needs and priorities of our communities.

I remain committed to serving you and all the people of Kansas with integrity, transparency, and dedication. Your trust is something I value deeply, and I will continue working every day to earn it.