Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made several significant decisions on Friday, vetoing proposed tax breaks for anti-abortion counseling centers while allowing restrictions on college diversity initiatives to become law without her signature. She also vetoed a bill aimed at increasing penalties for killing law enforcement dogs or horses, which was met with criticism from GOP leaders.
The new law regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education institutions prohibits requiring statements on these topics from prospective students or job applicants. Governor Kelly expressed concerns about the legislation but acknowledged that the targeted conduct may not be prevalent in Kansas universities.
On the anti-abortion front, Governor Kelly vetoed a bill that would have provided tax breaks and income tax credits to anti-abortion centers. She emphasized her support for abortion rights and raised concerns about diverting taxpayer dollars to crisis pregnancy centers.
Additionally, Kelly vetoed two elections measures, citing the need to focus on real issues impacting Kansans rather than addressing non-existent problems. The bills aimed to eliminate a three-day extension for returning mail ballots and restrict the use of federal funds in election administration without legislative approval.
One of the most surprising actions was Kelly's veto of the bill increasing penalties for killing police dogs, which had bipartisan support. The Governor argued that the issue required further study and that the proposed penalties were disproportionate compared to other crimes.
Despite facing potential overrides by Republican legislators, Governor Kelly stood firm in her decisions, emphasizing her commitment to upholding her principles and focusing on issues that truly impact the people of Kansas.
