Proposed Budget Highlights
The recommended budget represents a commitment to the future of the state and continues to work to restore fiscal stability to the budget, ensure every Kansan can access critical services, and provide tax relief to all Kansans. The budget prioritizes investments in the state water plan, early childhood care and education, post-secondary education, and human services. The budget makes the following recommendations:
Investing in Water
- Fully funds the state water plan
- Seeks to develop a ten-year strategic plan for water investments that includes identifying a dedicated revenue stream to ensure the stability of this plan
- Invests interest earnings from the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund to start water projects in fiscal 2026
Early Childhood Care & Education
- Provides one-time funding for childcare capacity accelerator grants to address the shortage of childcare slots
- Recommends funds for childcare health and safety grants to assist providers with small renovations to ensure facilities are compliant with all regulations
- Continues the childcare workforce registry
K-12 Education
- Recommends fully funding K-12 education for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027
- Provides funds to eliminate co-payments for students on reduced lunches which will provide access to free meals to nearly 36,000 students
- Waives AP exam fess for low-income students
- Increases funding for special education to keep the state on the path to full funding for special education by fiscal 2029
Post-Secondary Education
- Provides funds for need-based aid
- Allocates one-time funds for infrastructure and cybersecurity at public universities and two-year colleges
- Expands the Kansas University Medical Center medical student loan program
- Funds an Osteopathic Medical Service scholarship
Human Services
- Provides funding for growth in Frail/Elderly, Brain Injury, and Technology Assistance waiver utilization
- Allocates one-time funds for Home and Community Based Services provider grants
- Directs funds to complete stand-up of the Community Support Waiver
- Supports expanding Medicaid
State Employee Pay
- Applies a statewide 2.5 percent pay adjustment for state employees
- Provides an incremental 5.0 percent pay adjustment for salaried employees at 24/7 facilities