NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — State Rep. Paul Waggoner is confident that the Republican majority in the Kansas Statehouse is stronger in 2025 than it was last session.
"I think arguably we have a lot better chance here in 25 and we had good success, I think in 23 and 24," Waggoner said. "Our majorities are stronger. Some of the people who had personal agendas aren't there in Topeka going forward. The legislature, frankly, has been dealt by the voters, a much stronger hand in dealing with the governor this year."
Given the government efficiency that both President-elect Donald Trump and Republican leadership in the Kansas Statehouse say they want to see, it's logical to expect some attempts at serious budget restructuring in the coming year.
"Topeka does have a spending problem," Waggoner said. "I am totally pumped just simply because it would take, if you had a conservative governor, Republican governor, you know, yeah, you would have hope that, that because the agencies make the request through the governor's office, but where that is not the case, the legislature really needs to stand up, if you're going to have any control over the budget."
Republican legislative leadership is attempting to write their own version of the state budget to counter the traditional method of taking the budget cues from the governor's office.
"The first thing on the table is going to regard property tax relief, which again, the state only has a certain amount that we really deal with. It's just 20 mills for schools," Waggoner said. "We were just two or three votes from overriding governor Kelly's vetoes on this topic last year. But I expect to see a property tax relief package, which would cut that 20 mills, but then refill the money from just general fund revenue so that schools are held neutral, but that the taxpayers would get some property tax relief."
The Governor's State of the State speech, where she outlines many of her policy and budget priorities, is scheduled for Jan. 15.