Kansas governor Laura Kelly is receiving praise for a bipartisan bill she signed into law last week.
Kelly signed the Senate Substitute for HB 2302. It is a bipartisan bill that increases funding for the State Water Plan.
It provides a combined $35 million in funding for water-related infrastructure projects.
Kelly fully funded the State Water Plan in 2022; it was the first time since 2008 that the state fully funded it.
The bill she signed into law last week provides an additional $18 million on top of the annual $8 million the State Water Plan receives, plus $17 million for two grant funds.
“We must protect the water that has powered our booming farming economy for generations,” Governor Kelly said in a press release. “I’m proud that Republicans and Democrats were able to come together to make progress on this pressing crisis, investing a historic level of resources into major water storage projects.”
Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam said this new funding will improve the quality of life in Kansas.
“While it has been nearly 35 years since the Legislature has enhanced the mechanisms for funding the State Water Plan, the passage of this bill will provide meaningful investments in ensuring future generations have access to quality water,” Beam said in the release. “This will serve well for economic purposes and the quality of life we enjoy in this great state.”
Kansas Farm Bureau President Joe Newland also praised the funding. He said that it will help Kansas farmers increase their conservation efforts.
Source: thecentersquare.com
Photo Credit: GettyImages-zms
Categories: Kansas, Government & Policy