TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republican legislators in Kansas have failed to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a proposed ban on transgender athletes in girls and women’s school sports.
The Senate’s vote Monday to override Kelly was 26-14 and left backers of the measure one short of the necessary two-thirds majority and blocking an attempt in the House. More than 20 states have considered such proposals this year, as Republican lawmakers have pressed the issue. Kelly called the Kansas measure “regressive,” said it would send a message that Kansas was not a welcoming place.
Backers of the bill said they were trying to protect fair competition and opportunities for female athletes.
Sen. Tom Hawk of Manhattan voted against the override.
Three Republican Senators, including Brenda Dietrich of Topeka, John Doll of Garden City and Carolyn McGinn of Sedgwick, helped sustain the veto.
