TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced Friday her veto of two controversial measures including the ban on transgender athletes in women's sports and the"Parents' Bill of Rights."
On the veto of Senate Bill 160, the ban of transgender athletes in women's sports Kelly, Kelly said in a statement from her office.
"Both Republican and Democratic Governors have joined me in vetoing similar divisive bills for the same reasons: it’s harmful to students and their families and it’s bad for business.
"We all want a fair and safe place for our kids to play and compete. However, this bill didn't come from the experts at our schools, our athletes, or the Kansas State High School Activities Association. It came from politicians trying to score political points.
"This bill would also undoubtedly harm our ability to attract and retain businesses. It would send a signal to prospective companies that Kansas is more focused on unnecessary and divisive legislation than strategic, pro-growth lawmaking.
Republicans nationwide have pushed the issue, framing it as fairness in competition and access to scholarships to appeal to a broad swath of voters. At least 12 other states have enacted such laws, including Arizona and Oklahoma.
In Kansas, the proposal was part of a larger agenda for conservatives who lead the Republican-controlled Legislature, with Kelly facing a tough reelection race this year. Conservatives advanced a measure to respond to concerns about what’s taught in public schools by making it easier for parents to try to remove materials from classrooms and libraries, and they also sought to tighten election laws.
On her veto of Senate Bill 58, the "Parents Bill of Rights," Kelly said, "Throughout the pandemic, parents had to step up and do the impossible. Go to work. Take care of their children. Teach, tutor and facilitate their children’s learning. When it comes to their children’s education, parents can and should play a vital role. We know that parental engagement in their child’s education greatly impacts the outcome.
"This bill, however, is about politics, not parents. Over one hundred Kansas parents testified against this bill. It would create more division in our schools and would be costly. Money that should be spent in the classroom would end up being spent in the courtroom.
"That's unacceptable, especially after our efforts to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund our schools for the last four years.
"I look forward to working with the Legislature in a bipartisan fashion on a bill that gives parents a seat at the table without harming school funding or exacerbating the issues facing our teachers.