I will never forget that Kansas Republican leaders' initial reaction to the election of Democratic Governor Laura Kelly in 2018 was to deny that she had any mandate.
“It's the legislative elections that are more indicative of what's going on in the state,” current Senate President Ty Masterson told Associated Press reporter John Hanna at the time.
Masterson's take on Kerry's election: “A tragic clash of timing.''
These leaders have never given Kelly the credit he deserves as a duly elected governor of a state of 3 million people, much less as an intelligent politician. So they repeatedly step on the political pitchfork, and with each slap in the forehead comes the realization that somehow Mr. Kelly not only remains governor, but is also one of the 10 most popular people in America in the polls. is fading.
This makes it almost certain that Kelly will call a special session of the Kansas Legislature to make further progress toward passing a tax bill that 1.) does not put the state in the red and 2.) does not benefit the state. This also applies to the present day. The richest Kansans at the expense of others.
Congress has considered several plans, but none meet Kelly's criteria. At least not yet.
Meanwhile, Republican leaders are simply pleading with the governor to sign the latest proposal, compiled in the final days of the veto. After all, those candidates need to go out and raise money for the August primary. Some Democrats have joined the chorus and think Senate Bill 37 is probably the best deal they're likely to get.
Kelly stood firm. And she has a clear reason to do so, considering 499,849 Kansans voted for her in 2022. This is compared to the very small number that voted for individual members. She communicated her tax plan early on, and she announced her bipartisan proposal in January with support from Republican Sens. Rob Olson, John Dole and Dennis Pyle. Additionally, Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins have shown no desire to address Medicaid expansion, their top legislative priority, this Congress.
Governors can now make their political opponents pay for their intransigence. I would.
We need to distinguish Mr. Kelly's approach from that of legislative leaders. I wrote a column about their intimidation and bullying behavior toward colleagues three weeks ago, and this approach can best be characterized as a stick without a carrot. Hawkins and Masterson have shown a willingness to lay down the hammer at the slightest provocation. Kelly kept his powder dry during the session, warning that he would call a special session if necessary.
“I've made it clear from the beginning that I will veto any bill introduced that would put Kansas in financial jeopardy. The bill the Legislature passed will do just that.” Kelly told KCUR last week. “There's no way I'm going to sign it. I'm going to call Congress back into special session to pass a good tax cut bill.”
Leaders have no one to blame but themselves.
They still can't believe that the Democratic Party is running the executive branch. They still can't believe they have to deal with people from the opposition. They still can't believe the reality they've been facing for the past six years.
In 2018 and 2022, Kelly outsmarted two of the top Republican candidates. She clearly isn't afraid of Hawkins or Masterson.
I'm not as nice as Kelly. I can be grumpy and narrow-minded. If I were to endure a session like the one in 2024, I could call Congress into a special session every day until Election Day 2024, preventing members of the House and Senate from fundraising and campaigning. The governor has the authority to do so under the state constitution. Can you imagine the surprise and gnashing of teeth that would result?
Of course the governor wouldn't do that. Her popularity continues to grow because she eschews strict partisan politics and enthusiastically embraces moderate policies. She didn't think she would change course now.
No, the special session will probably unfold as follows. The senators and representatives will consult with the governor's office to come up with a plan more aligned with her preferences. They will return to Topeka sometime in late May or early June and quickly pass a compromise, likely within a day. Kelly will sign the bill, everyone will claim victory, and life will go on across Kansas' 105 counties.
But who knows? Legislative leaders never liked, accepted, or understood Mr. Kelly. They may try to sabotage her again with a plan to make Charles Koch even richer and send us into another version of former Governor Sam Brownback's tax “experiment.”
If so, I wouldn't bet on the governor pulling out.
Clay Wirestone is an opinion editor for the Kansas Reflector. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of those affected by public policy or excluded from public debate. Find information including how to post your own comments. here.
