TOPEKA — Top Republican legislators in Kansas were preparing to test Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s power to shape the state budget and hold off a GOP push for income tax relief.
The Republican-dominated Legislature was convening Wednesday for its final day in session this year with Republicans looking to override Kelly’s veto of a GOP tax relief bill and vetoes of several spending items included in the next state budget. Those items included an extra $51 million payment to the state’s public pension system. Kelly argued that her vetoes promoted budget stability.
Republicans had the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override vetoes. But GOP leaders worried that a few moderate Republicans might back Kelly or that a few lawmakers might not show for what is often a brief adjournment ceremony.
