Governor's budget plan spotlights divided Kansas government

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly outlined a proposed budget Thursday that commits Kansas to higher spending on public schools and an expanded Medicaid health insurance program while launching a political fight with top Republican lawmakers over their plans for tax relief.

Kelly's release of her proposed $18.4 billion spending blueprint for the budget year beginning in July gave Kansas residents a taste of what a divided state government is likely to look like.

The new governor's budget assumes legislators do not adjust income tax laws this year, even though that's a priority for Republican leaders in the GOP-dominated Legislature.