Jun 03, 2020

Kan. lawmakers, governor near agreement on new COVID-19 measure

Posted Jun 03, 2020 2:06 PM
Lawmakers at the Kansas Statehouse for the special session Wednesday 
Lawmakers at the Kansas Statehouse for the special session Wednesday 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature are near an agreement on a compromise coronavirus measure to give lawmakers some oversight of the spending federal relief funds and protect businesses from pandemic-related lawsuits.

Kelly called lawmakers back to Topeka for a special session that convenes Wednesday after she vetoed a sweeping coronavirus bill they approved May 21 before adjourning their annual session. It would have curbed Kelly’s power to direct the state’s pandemic response, given legislative leaders the final say over the spending of $1.25 billion in federal relief funds and protected businesses, medical providers and nursing homes from lawsuits.

It’s similar to the bill Kelly vetoed but differs in enough details for GOP leaders to hope she would sign it.

In a statement Wednesday, the governor said, “I will support this bipartisan bill that was created with input from Republicans, Democrats, and stakeholders that I believe will provide the framework our state needs as we continue on the path to recovery. To be clear, there are parts of this bill that I do not support. However, my priority is and will always be the interests of Kansans first. I believe that the majority of this legislation accomplishes that and upholds my commitment to work across the aisle to move our state forward.”

A state of emergency Kelly declared for the pandemic is set to expire June 10, and she wants lawmakers to extend it so that she can continue to tap broad emergency powers. The new plan would extend the existing state of emergency until Sept. 15 but limit the governor’s power to close businesses, something she did until late May.

Some legislators are also expecting a debate on expanding the state’s Medicaid program. That's been a priority for Kelly since she took office.