Laura Kelly on Families & Children

	Laura Kelly on Families & Children

Vetoed adoption bill relating to religious beliefs

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a bill related to religious beliefs and children's welfare. According to the Office of the Kansas Governor, Gov. Kelly vetoed House Bill 2311, which would prohibit the secretary from adopting and enforcing policies for placement, custody and appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity and creating a right of action for violations. Source: WIBW TV-13 on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race , Apr 7, 2025

Put functions of child care agencies under one roof

Right now, early childhood services are siloed in four different state agencies. If a family is searching for care for a newborn, that family must navigate among three different agencies to figure out which program is the right fit. Thankfully, there's a solution available: Let's put the functions of these agencies under one roof--the Office of Early Childhood. Let's offer a one-stop-shop for young families, for child care providers, and for businesses to access early childhood services. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature , Jan 15, 2025

Shortage of child care is stressful; slows down our economy

I'll be proposing the largest single-year investment ever made in our state's early childhood system. A large part of that investment will go toward solving our state's child care shortage. Over half of Kansas families in search of child care cannot find an open slot--forcing many parents to quit their jobs. And the shortages are worst in our rural areas. That's bad for our children, stressful for our parents, and, when every business is desperate for workers, it slows down our economy. Source: 2024 State of the State Address to Kansas legislature , Jan 10, 2024

Reformed foster care, focused on kinship care

We have decreased the number of children in foster care by over 15%. That started with the work done by Secretary Laura Howard and her team. They studied the mistakes of the past and took an intentional approach, to move the state away from a child welfare system and toward a child and family well-being system. Secretary Howard directed the agency to focus on things like kinship care, where a child is placed with a family member or a close family friend, instead of being placed in the system. Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature , Jan 11, 2022

Must fix broken foster care system

The number of children in foster care has skyrocketed--up 45% since 2011. We've seen the programs overwhelmed by the sheer numbers in need. And the caseloads of dedicated social workers are absurdly high. My budget provides funding for the Families First Prevention Services Act. It will inject millions into efforts that strengthen vulnerable families & prevent children from entering the foster care system. My budget includes funding to hire more, qualified social workers & reduce their caseloads. Source: 2019 State of the State address to Kansas legislature , Jan 16, 2019

Opposes religious exemption for gay adoption

Legislative Summary: SB 284: The bill creates the Adoption Protection Act, which states no child placement agency (CPA) shall be required to participate in any placement of a child for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement of such child violates such CPA's sincerely held religious beliefs.

Analysis by KCUR: The Legislature has approved a measure allowing faith-based adoption and foster care agencies to be reimbursed for placement services, even if they turn away prospective parents who don't fit their religious beliefs. Opponents argued the religious protections would open the door to state-sponsored discrimination, particularly against same-sex couples, but also single people and minorities. Legislative Outcome: Passed House 63-58-4 on May/3/18; Passed Senate 24-15-1 on May/3/18; State Sen. Laura Kelly voted NO; Signed by Governor Jeff Colyer on May/18/18

Source: KCUR 89.3 FM analysis of Kansas SB 284 voting records , May 3, 2018

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*Other governors on Families & Children:*			*Laura Kelly on other issues:*
*KS Gubernatorial:* Chase LaPorte Derek Schmidt Jeff Colyer *KS Senatorial:* Barbara Bollier Barry Grissom Dave Lindstrom Jake LaTurner Jerry Moran Joan Farr Kris Kobach Mark Holland Michael Soetaert Pat Roberts Susan Wagle	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019); elected Nov. 4. Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021 & 2025); lost general election Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025; elected Nov. 4. Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025; lost general election Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021 (Independent candidate). Zohran Mamdani, New York State Assembly, 2021-2025 (Democratic nominee); elected Nov. 4. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican nominee; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4; runoff Dec. 2: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Steven Fulop, outgoing Mayor (2013-2025) Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]