From the office of Gov. Laura Kelly

KANSAS GOVERNOR OPPOSES MID-DECADE REDISTRICTING, DEMANDS PUBLIC INPUT

TOPEKA - Gov. Laura Kelly called on Republican legislative leaders to hold public meetings before circulating petitions for a special session on congressional redistricting, criticizing potential mid-decade map changes as partisan.

Kelly said she opposes redistricting based on "old data and a clearly partisan agenda" amid reports that GOP leadership is considering a special session to redraw congressional maps. The governor noted she will not call such a session herself, forcing Republicans to rely on a petition signed by two-thirds of each legislative chamber.

"A special session to draw new maps without new data would be an unprecedented departure from the normal post-Census process," Kelly said in a statement. She argued that any redistricting effort requires robust public input to maintain voter confidence.

The governor referenced the 2021 redistricting process, when legislative leaders held 18 public meetings. Former House Speaker Ron Ryckman had called redistricting a "multi-year process" requiring town halls to gauge public opinion. Senate President Ty Masterson previously identified Johnson County as the "core" of the 3rd Congressional District.

Kelly specifically demanded public comment opportunities in Johnson County, calling for both online and in-person options. She criticized discussions occurring "behind closed doors" and insisted they be moved "into the public domain."

The statement comes as Republicans potentially seek to redraw Kansas's four congressional districts mid-decade, which would be unusual timing outside the normal post-census redistricting cycle. Such efforts typically follow new population data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Kansas Seeks Federal Rural Health Funding Despite Medicaid Cuts

TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday that Kansas will apply for a portion of the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, though she warned the funding won't offset federal Medicaid cuts threatening the state's struggling rural hospitals.

The program, part of H.R. 1, aims to improve rural health care access while simultaneously enacting Medicaid cuts that Kelly said will jeopardize hospitals already at risk of closing. Kansas has one of the nation's highest rates of struggling rural hospitals.

"Though the funds will not make up for the federal cuts to the Medicaid program, these resources will allow the state to make fundamental changes to the rural health care system," Kelly said.

The federal program will distribute $25 billion evenly among states with approved applications, with the remaining $25 billion allocated based on criteria from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Kansas must submit its application by Nov. 5, with funding decisions announced by Dec. 31.

Kelly is establishing the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance to develop the application and oversee implementation. The state will partner with the University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative on the effort.

A public webinar explaining the application process is scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m.

The approved funding would be distributed over five years to bolster rural health care systems statewide.

Kansas Newsletter Highlights Economic Growth, Gold Star Families Event

TOPEKA, Kan. — Gov. Laura Kelly's administration reported significant economic development progress and honored military families during the week of Sept. 22, according to a state newsletter.

Kelly announced that Kansas has secured 1,543 committed economic development projects worth more than $24.4 billion in capital investment, creating over 77,000 jobs during her tenure.

The governor also hosted a Gold Star Family remembrance ceremony at the Statehouse, honoring families who lost loved ones in military service.

"Yesterday, I was honored to stand alongside Kansas' Gold Star Families to remember and honor the loved ones they lost in service to our nation," Kelly said. "Their sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Additionally, Kelly called for public meetings before any redistricting special session petition is circulated. She emphasized the need for transparency in the redistricting process, particularly in Johnson County.

"Any efforts to institute an unprecedented mid-decade redistricting must offer a robust public comment period with both online and in-person options," Kelly said. "Discussions about a special session and redistricting must be brought out from behind closed doors and into the public domain."

The governor urged legislative leadership to host town halls before circulating petitions for a special session on redistricting.