TOPEKA — House and Senate Republican members on the State Finance Council moved Friday to block approval of the one-month extension of the Kansas disaster declaration for COVID-19 sought by Gov. Laura Kelly.
GOP members insisted the Democratic governor weave into the declaration written assurance the executive branch wouldn’t again lock down businesses in response to the pandemic.
Kelly pushed back against requests to amend the emergency declaration to include such as pledge, but said she had no plan to place operating limits on businesses.
She said state law adopted in June by bipartisan vote during the special legislative session placed restrictions on her ability to close doors of businesses. She said she preferred county officials adjust business restrictions in response the status of the virus in communities.
“Let’s not pretend this is about businesses. This is about politics,” said Kelly, who has battled GOP legislators since March regarding COVID-19. “Let’s vote for the people. Let’s not vote for politics.”
House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said the governor had mismanaged the COVID-19 response. He said he was weary of Kelly criticizing Republicans for allegedly politicizing the pandemic.
“I’m flat tired of that narrative,” Hawkins said.
After 90 minutes of contentious debate during the State Finance Council meeting, the governor recessed the gathering to allow Republican legislators to speak with attorneys. Kelly maintained during the meeting that she held veto power over council votes, while Republicans on the council said she didn’t possess that authority.
Senate President Susan Wagle, the Wichita Republican, said she believed Republican majority on the council would be able to dictate the outcome of votes. The council’s consists of six Republican legislators, two Democratic legislators and the governor.
“We need to consult with our attorneys,” Wagle said. “We went into this meeting with the understanding that six votes rule on this declaration. We’re hung up. We’re at stalemate.”
House Speaker Ron Ryckman, an Olathe Republican, said the governor’s conduct during the COVID-19 calamity caused Kansans to disproportionately suffer economically.
“Under the failed leadership of Governor Laura Kelly, our state is currently experiencing the slowest weekly unemployment claims recovery in the nation, trailing all 49 other states and the District of Columbia,” Ryckman said. “Kansas continues to rank in the bottom five states in testing capacity per capita. The governor has chronically mismanaged the state’s response to the pandemic.”
If the council decided not to renew the state’s disaster declaration, a series of executive orders would expire Sept. 15.
“The disaster declaration, along with these executive orders, are critical to ensuring Kansas has the tools and support it needs to continue responding to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kelly said.