Gov. Kelly’s ‘The People’s Budget’ includes $50.6 million in special education state aid

By Timothy R. Graham

KNEA Director of Government Relations

Gov. Laura Kelly unveiled her proposed FY 2027 budget, “The People’s Budget,” on Jan. 14, continuing her administration’s long-standing commitment to public education, fully funding Kansas K–12 public schools for the eighth consecutive year. If enacted, Kelly would be the first Kansas governor in a generation to fully fund public education every year of their term.

“Last fall, I spoke directly with Kansans, who were clear about the priorities they wanted reflected in my budget – fully funded public schools, investments in health care, and action to address our water challenges,” Kelly said in a news release. “My budget delivers on Kansans’ wishes while remaining balanced and ensuring that we protect Kansas’ fiscal foundation. This budget aligns with Kansans’ needs and is an investment in what a budget should focus on – the people of Kansas.”

The proposal includes an additional $50.6 million in special education state aid, continued investment in the Kansas Blueprint for Literacy with $8.6 million in funding, and $2.5 million to eliminate reduced-price meal co-pays for more than 34,000 students.

The budget also fully funds the Kansas Office of Early Childhood in its first year, reinforcing a broader commitment to early learning and student supports across the state.

This proposal is just the first step in a long and often unpredictable budget process. The Legislature will now take over — debating priorities, proposing changes, and ultimately deciding what funding moves forward.

KNEA will continue advocating for students and educators, monitoring key developments, and keeping members informed as the budget process unfolds.

Timothy R. Graham can be reached at timothy.graham@knea.org.