Kansas has a new anti-DEI law, but the governor has vetoed bills on abortion and even police dogs -bloggerheart

Topeka, Kans.– Kansas's Democratic governor on Friday vetoed a proposed tax break for anti-abortion counseling centers, while allowing restrictions on a college diversity initiative approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature to become law without his signature.

Gov. Laura Kelly also vetoed a bill with bipartisan support to increase penalties for killing a law enforcement dog or horse, a move that the GOP leader who pushed it called “political pettiness.” In addition, he rejected two election measures inspired at least in part by the influence of people promoting baseless election conspiracies among Republicans.

Kelly's action on a bill related to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative comes as it was struck down by his veto of an anti-DEI measure from the current state budget last year.

The new law, which takes effect July 1, prohibits state universities, community colleges and technical schools from requiring prospective students or applicants for jobs or promotions to provide statements on their views about diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Kelly allowed it to become law just two days after the state Board of Higher Education adopted its own, narrower ban on similar practices.

Kelly contradicted statements made by GOP legislators in her message on the bill, saying, “Although I have concerns about this legislation, I do not believe that the conduct targeted in this legislation occurs at our universities.”

Lawmakers are scheduled to return from spring recess on Thursday and complete their work for the year in six days. Top Republicans promised to immediately try to override Friday's veto.

Republicans in nearly two dozen states have sought to limit DEI initiatives, arguing that they are discriminatory and enforce liberal political conservatism. Alabama and Utah enacted new anti-DEI laws this year, and a ban imposed in Texas last year has led to more than 100 job cuts at Texas university campuses.

The new policy from the Kansas Board of Regents applies only to state universities and does not specify any penalties, while the new law would allow fines of up to $10,000 for each violation.

Proponents of DEI programs say they are being misrepresented. The American Psychological Association defines diversity, equity, and inclusion as a framework to guide “the fair treatment and full participation of all people”, especially those in minority groups.

“We need to move forward and focus our efforts on making college more affordable and providing students from all backgrounds with the tools they need to succeed,” Kelly said in her message on the bill.

The bill, which would help about 60 anti-abortion centers in the state, was expected to be vetoed by Kelly because she is a strong supporter of abortion rights. She has already vetoed two other measures backed by abortion opponents this year.

But GOP lawmakers in Kansas have had success ignoring Kelly's actions. Republican leaders appear to have the necessary two-thirds majority in both houses on abortion issues and appear close to a DEI bill.

The latest abortion measure would exempt anti-abortion centers that provide free services to expectant mothers and new parents from paying the state's 6.5% sales tax on what they buy and giving a total of $10 million a year to charities. Income tax credit of up to Rs.

Kelly said in his veto message that it is not appropriate for the state to “transfer taxpayer dollars to largely unregulated crisis pregnancy centers.”

The Bill also includes provisions to provide financial assistance to parents who adopt or wish to adopt children.

“Governor Kelly has once again shown that his only allegiance is to the profit-driven abortion industry, not to vulnerable Kansas women, children and families,” said Jeanne Gaudun, the state's most influential anti-abortion lobbyist for Kansans for Life. said the group said in a statement.

Abortion opponents in Kansas have been prevented from pursuing the same severe bans or restrictions imposed on abortion in neighboring states, including Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. A Kansas Supreme Court decision in 2019 declared that access to abortion is a fundamental right under the state constitution, and a statewide vote in August 2022 conclusively confirmed that position.

“This bill goes against the wishes of Kansans,” Kelly said in his veto message.

Kelly has also repeatedly clashed with Republicans on voting rights issues.

One of the election bills he vetoed would have ended giving voters an additional three days to return mail ballots to election officials after Election Day. Many Republicans said they were responding to concerns — fueled by former President Donald Trump's lies — about the integrity of the election results when ballots are accepted after Election Day.

The other elections bill would bar state agencies and local officials from using federal funds in election administration or voting promotion without the express permission of the legislature. Republicans see the spending by the Biden administration as an effort to unfairly boost Democratic turnout.

But Kelly chided lawmakers for “focusing on problems that don't exist.”

“I would urge the legislature to focus on the real issues affecting Kansans,” Kelly said in her veto message on the second bill.

The veto of the bill on police dogs was perhaps Kelly's most surprising action. The increased penalties have received bipartisan support across the US, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a measure this week.

Kansas' measure was inspired by the November death of 8-year-old Wichita police dog Bain, who authorities say was strangled by a suspect in a domestic violence case. In this, a first-time offender can be sentenced to up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Kelly said the issue needed more study, adding that the new penalty for killing a police dog would not be in line with other, more serious crimes, “without any justification.”

But House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican and the bill's biggest champion, said: “This veto is a slap in the face to all law enforcement.”