Kansas Governor Proposes Property Tax Relief Plan, Accuses GOP of 'Lip Service'

Kelly vetoes bill allowing voters to overturn local tax hikes, offers $313M in vehicle tax credits and $120M in home exemptions.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:52pm

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A photorealistic painting of the Kansas state capitol building in Topeka, rendered in the warm, cinematic style of Edward Hopper. The building is bathed in diagonal sunlight, casting deep shadows across the facade and conveying a sense of political tension and nostalgia around the ongoing debate over property tax relief.The Kansas statehouse stands as a symbol of the political battle over property tax relief, with the governor and legislature at odds over how to provide real solutions for struggling homeowners.Topeka Today

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has proposed a three-part plan to provide property tax relief, including $313 million in one-time tax credits for vehicle owners, $60 million in incentives for local governments to limit spending growth, and $120 million in state property tax exemptions. Kelly vetoed a Republican-backed bill that would have allowed a fraction of registered voters to overturn local property tax increases, accusing the GOP-led legislature of providing 'only lip service' on the issue.

Why it matters

Property taxes have been a major political issue in Kansas, with Republicans promising relief but failing to deliver, according to the governor. Kelly's plan aims to provide more substantial and lasting tax relief, while also pushing back against Republican efforts to give voters more power to override local tax increases.

The details

Kelly's plan includes $313 million in one-time tax credits for vehicle owners, $60 million in incentives for local governments to limit annual budget growth to 3% or less, and $120 million in state property tax exemptions by raising the exemption on home values from $75,000 to $150,000. The governor vetoed a Republican-backed bill that would have allowed 10% of voters to petition and block local tax increases exceeding 3%, calling it 'lip service' on the issue.

  • On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Gov. Kelly announced her property tax relief plan.
  • Lawmakers are scheduled to resume work on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10 to potentially override the governor's veto and pass new legislation before the legislative session ends for the year.

The players

Gov. Laura Kelly

The Democratic governor of Kansas who proposed the property tax relief plan and vetoed the Republican-backed bill.

Sen. Ethan Corson

A Fairway Democrat who is running for governor and proposed the bill that is part of Kelly's plan, which would provide $250 tax credits to vehicle owners.

Senate President Ty Masterson

An Andover Republican who is running for governor and criticized Kelly's veto, saying it shows 'our state's desperate need for a Republican governor.'

House Speaker Dan Hawkins

A Wichita Republican who said the governor's veto 'ignores' the needs of Kansans and the will of the people.

House Majority Leader Chris Croft

An Overland Park Republican who said the veto 'shows she is still standing in the way of property tax relief.'

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What they’re saying

“Kansans deserve real property tax relief, and they deserve the truth about how such relief can be accomplished. To date, the Legislature — led by a Republican supermajority — has provided only lip service on this topic and has failed to deliver on the campaign promises and talking points they have been repeating for two years.”

— Gov. Laura Kelly

“Laura Kelly and the Democrats have proven they are not serious about solving the property-tax crisis that is driving Kansans out of their homes. Enough is enough. When I'm Governor, the runaway appraisals and out-of-control local spending will come to an end.”

— Senate President Ty Masterson, Republican running for governor

“The people of Kansas deserve a voice in how their hard-earned dollars are taxed, and this veto ignores their needs and the will of the people. It's time to put Kansans first and ensure real property tax relief becomes a reality.”

— House Majority Leader Chris Croft, Republican

What’s next

Lawmakers are scheduled to resume their work on Thursday, April 9 and Friday, April 10, when they could override the governor's vetoes and pass new legislation before ending the legislative session for the year.

The takeaway

This political standoff over property tax relief highlights the ongoing tension between the Democratic governor and the Republican-led legislature in Kansas. While both sides claim to want to provide relief for taxpayers, they differ on the approach, with the governor proposing a more comprehensive plan and the GOP pushing for more voter control over local tax increases.