Kelly talks SNAP risk, stadium spending, and 2026 Race: It’s about ‘the person, not the party’

TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says the state’s biggest economic challenges go beyond party politics — and are being felt directly by Kansans.

In an exclusive interview, Kelly told Kansas Capitol Bureau Chief Rebekah Chung that her statewide economic listening tour, the People’s Budget Tour, is meant to highlight some of the top issues people in the state are facing.

“They have a lot of the concerns about affordability right now,” Kelly said. “Making sure childcare is available, that housing is within their reach — and then the relatively newer issue of just inflation around things like grocery prices.”

Kelly is in the process of preparing her budget for the next legislative session, but Republican lawmakers are pushing to meet sooner. They’re circulating a petition for a special session on redistricting, while also floating the topics of gender markers and property tax relief.

However, Kelly said she’s unsure if a session will even happen.

“The fact that they’ve not been able to get the signatures to call the special session is significant,” Kelly said. “If they do, they ought to limit it to redistricting. Trying to rush through other proposals — there’s not time to do them justice.”

Government shutdown, Tariffs impact Kansas

On the national front, Kelly said tariffs are already hurting Kansas farmers and the state’s economy more than the federal government shutdown.

Kansas farmers have been hit hard by the lack of Chinese demand, as the country has pulled away from buying soybean crop in the U.S.

“We haven’t sold a soybean to China this year,” Kelly said. “That has a huge multi-billion dollar impact on the state of Kansas and on our farmers.”

“I think this time around, even more so than the last time we had these trade issues, we are losing these markets, and I think our farmers are very concerned, rightfully so, that we are losing these markets on a forever basis,” Kelly continued.

SNAP Lawsuit: Kansas at risk of losing millions

She’s also fighting a federal lawsuit over the state’s refusal to hand over personal data for Kansans enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture has threatened to withhold more than $10 million every quarter if Kansas does not comply.

This comes as, Kelly says, the state is “on the cusp” of having to eliminate SNAP benefits with the government shutdown.

“It is a problem,” Kelly said. “States don’t have the money to backfill the federal government’s responsibility to provide funding for food through SNAP.”

Chiefs, Royals deal on the horizon?

Kelly also weighed in on Kansas’ stadium incentive plan, which would allow the state to cover up to 70% of the cost of a new Chiefs or Royals stadium through STAR bonds.

“You know, I think if you look back on all of the economic development projects that we have closed, have we laid out a bunch of money? Yes, we absolutely have,” Kelly said. “But it’s always been calculated on, ‘here’s what we will invest. Here’s what we expect to get back to make Kansas a better place to live.’ And so we’re doing the same thing with this economic development project is no different than any other.”

2026 Governor’s Race: Who’s Kelly backing?

With the 2026 governor’s race approaching, Kelly said she hasn’t endorsed anyone — despite her influential role as chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

“I have to see what comes out of the Republican Primary first to be able to answer that,” Kelly said. “I have never been one that it’s got to be a Democrat no matter what. I have always voted for the candidate, the person, not the party.”

Kelly said the economy has been one of her top priorities throughout her tenure. She hopes the next governor continues building on the progress made, and leads with the people’s needs in mind.

“I want the one who’s going to focus on the real needs of Kansans, and who’s going to operate and govern with their needs and their expectations in mind,” Kelly said. “Not what the party wants, not what the President wants, but what Kansans want and need.”

People’s Budget Tour Schedule

Kelly’s “People’s Budget Tour” continues through November with seven more stops across the state:

• October 29: Hays
• October 29: Garden City
• November 3: Kansas City, Kansas
• November 5: Leawood
• November 6: Emporia
• November 10: Pittsburg
• November 12: Wichita

For more information on the tour, and how to reserve a spot, click here.

To watch the full interview, click here.