TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a measure tucked into a budget measure that would have allowed Kansas legislators to reconsider a decision not to join the state pension system for teachers and government workers.
The state constitution gives governors the power to veto individual items in spending bills even while signing them. Kelly used it Wednesday to strike what she called “an exclusive opportunity” for members of the Republican-controlled Legislature that’s not available to other public employees.
State law currently gives lawmakers one chance to decide whether they will participate in the state pension system. The vetoed provision would allow them to reverse course before their 2023 session starts.