Kansas pushes for approval of additional stimulus legislation

The Kansas Governor’s Council on Tax Reform has joined Governor Laura Kelly along with small businesses and other individuals in asking Congress to support enactment of another round of federal stimulus legislation.

Government officials are seeking federal funding it says it needs as soon as possible, writing a letter to Senator Mitch McConnell, Senator Chuck Schumer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Representative Kevin McCarthy emphasizing its need.

At its November 19th meeting, the Council unanimously approved a motion to memorialize for congressional leadership and the Kansas delegation in Washington, D.C., regarding the importance of the stimulus package, with a special emphasis on provisions relating to funding for state and local governments that would enable them to backfill a portion of receipts that have collapsed in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

Signed by bipartisan Co-Chairs Janis Lee and Steve Morris, the letter notes that because Kansas cannot constitutionally operate with a negative budget balance, the state would be facing a “litany of unattractive policy options.”

On Dec. 1, Gov. Kelly also called on Congress to act as soon as possible, emphasizing the increasing likelihood of another recession in 2021 in the absence of a second stimulus package.

“My administration renews its requests to Congress to prioritize and pass economic relief so we can keep Kansas’ businesses open and our kids in school,” Kelly said.