Laura Kelly on Government Reform

	Laura Kelly on Government Reform

Streamline our systems to be more efficient and effective

We have to develop a better water management system. Right now, water faces many of the same issues I described with early childhood: it's managed by 14 different agencies, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to align efforts around policy, planning, and investment. If this is going to work, that's got to change--let's create an Office of Natural Resources. Let's streamline our systems to make our work so much more efficient and effective. Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Kansas legislature , Jan 15, 2025

Lobbyist reforms & increased legislative transparency

Kelly has fought to improve transparency and increase accountability throughout her time in the legislature. Kelly has stood up to the Brownback-Colyer Administration and demanded accountability. In a Kelly Administration, Cabinet members and staff will be required to sign an ethical code of conduct that ensures the highest standards of integrity. She will also advocate for a series of lobbyist reforms, increase transparency of legislative proceedings and lower the cost to access open records. Source: 2018 Gubernatorial campaign website LauraKellyForKansas.com , Aug 14, 2018

Don't require voter identification for advance voting

Excerpts from legislation: Bill HB2019 regarding Voter Identification: After Jan. 1, 2010, any registered voter may file with the county election officer where such person is a resident, an application for an advance voting ballot. The signed application shall be transmitted only to the county election officer by personal delivery, mail, or fax.

Excerpts from veto message: I cannot support creating any roadblock to prevent our citizens from adding their voices to democratic discourse. HB 2019 seeks to solve a problem of voter fraud which does not exist, due to the tireless efforts of our local election officials. The needless, additional identification requirements of HB 2019 will only work to disenfranchise many of the electorate.

Legislative outcome: Sen. Laura Kelly voted NAY; Bill passed House 67-56-2; Bill passed Senate 26-14-0; Vetoed by Gov. Sebelius May 18, 2008

Source: Kansas legislative voting records: HB 2019 , Mar 28, 2007

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