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30 September 2024 | Economic Security Tax and Budget Education Health Early Learning

September 2024 Newsletter

Kansas Action for Children | September 30, 2024

Election Season Provides Special Opportunity to Act for Kids and Families

In just a little over a month, the General Election will take place on November 5. While national politics are important and provide a place for every voter to have their voice heard, state and local elections allow for even greater influence on our daily lives.

In 2022, a handful of legislative elections were determined by less than 100 votes. This year, all 165 state lawmakers (40 senators and 125 representatives) are up for election. While 58 races were decided by the primaries (as they do not have a general election opponent), your vote could make a real difference in one of the other 107 races. And that difference becomes even more possible for city and county elections.

We encourage you to register to vote by the October 15th deadline if you aren’t already registered and encourage your family and friends to, as well. Before November 5, look up your sample ballot and do your research on the candidates running to represent you and your neighbors. Kansas kids are counting on you to prioritize them in the voting booth.

Staff Awards

Heather Braum (left photo, middle), Senior Policy Advisor, was recognized for her outstanding service to Kansas in the interest of public health and/or environmental input by the Kansas Public Health Association.

And Alice Fitzgerald, Fiscal Policy Analyst, was included as part of the NextGen Under 30 – Nonprofit Organization category. The program recognizes those who demonstrate talent, drive, and service to their communities.

We are proud to have them on the KAC team and are very grateful for their outstanding work in making Kansas a place where every kid can grow up healthy and thrive.

State’s Fiscal Policy Impacts on Kids and Families

As we look back on the past nine months, we’re reminded how big of an impact Kansas’ fiscal policies has on kids and families. How lawmakers decide who to prioritize in the tax code has resounding effects on a family’s income, grocery budget, rent or mortgage payments, and much more.  

The fall is an opportune time to reacquaint yourself with the Kansas budget – how it’s doing and where it could be going.  

First, take a look at August’s revenues. Thankfully, Kansas brought in about 3.5% more than it previously expected for the month of August. However, we’re still tempering our expectations, as the tax bill passed back in June could cause quite the upheaval for the rest of FY 2025.  

Next, get up to speed with what happened with taxes during the 2024 session. There are plenty of ideas around who should and shouldn’t benefit from the Kansas tax code, and several priorities were clear earlier this year. Understanding what was passed in June will provide a basis of what’s actually possible as we head into the coming year.  

Lastly, the Special Committee on Budget Process and Development is aiming to modernize Kansas’ budget procedures. It’s a lengthy process (as you can see in our Budget Primer). We’ve recapped the first meeting here; we’ll publish a summary of the second meeting as soon as we can after they meet on October 2.