Governor Kelly Hosts ‘The People’s Budget’ Tour Stops, Food Drives in Hays and Garden City

Posted October 31, 2025

Topeka–On Wednesday, Governor Laura Kelly traveled to Hays and Garden City for the second and third stops on her statewide listening tour, ‘The People’s Budget.’ Joined by Adam Proffitt, Director of the Budget/Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration, Governor Kelly spoke with nearly 90 Kansans in Hays and nearly 60 Kansans in Garden City about her continued focus on responsible budgeting.

“Kansans in both Hays and Garden City enthusiastically shared their perspectives on a variety of topics from property taxes and water to health care and public education,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Their insight will be invaluable as I work to build a fiscally responsible budget that reflects Kansans’ priorities.”

In both Hays and Garden City, Kansans resoundingly encouraged continued investment in public education, including fully funding public schools, fully funding special education, and supporting the Jobs for Americas Graduates program; continued emphasizing the need to tackle Kansas’ water challenges; and reiterated supporting Kansas’ health care system, particularly rural hospitals and access to mental health care.

During the town hall portion of the event in Hays, Kansans also spoke out in support of economic development projects in rural areas and early childhood education. In Garden City, Kansans encouraged further investment in child welfare and career and technical education programs.

Governor Kelly is now simultaneously hosting food drives at each of the events in partnership with the Kansas Food Bank and Harvesters – The Community Food Network. In Hays, Kansans donated 347 pounds of non-perishable food items and over 17 pounds of infant formula to St. Joseph’s Food Pantry. In Garden City, Kansans contributed food items and infant formula that was collected by the Kansas Food Bank’s Garden City Warehouse. Kansans planning to donate food at future events can find additional information about in-demand items here.

The next stop on ‘The People’s Budget’ tour will take place on Monday, November 3, at 6:00 p.m. in Kansas City, Kansas. Kansans interested in attending the events should visit this form for additional information. The form has been updated with additional information for all events that were previously listed with details to be announced.

The remaining stops on ‘The People’s Budget’ tour will take place on the schedule below:

  • 6:00 p.m., Monday, November 3: Kansas City, Kansas
  • 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 5: Leawood
  • 6:00 p.m., Thursday, November 6: Emporia
  • 6:00 p.m., Monday, November 10: Pittsburg
  • 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 12: Wichita

Space at each venue will be limited, and entrance will be on a first-come first-serve basis. The Governor’s Office would appreciate RSVPs to accurately gauge community interest in each event. Doors will open approximately 15 minutes before the listed start time. Submission of an RSVP does not guarantee entry due to venue capacity.

Read more