Kansas Gov. Kelly Vetoes Bills on Tuition, Abortion, Credits

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly vetoed three bills on Monday, targeting policies on in-state tuition for undocumented students, abortion informed consent requirements and private school tax credits, as the Republican-controlled Legislature prepares to consider overrides during a two-day session starting Thursday.

The most closely watched veto involves Senate Bill 254, which would end in-state tuition eligibility for undocumented immigrants who graduate from Kansas high schools or attend them for at least three years. The policy, in place since 2004, allows such students to pay reduced rates at public colleges and universities regardless of immigration status. Kelly, a Democrat in her final year of an eight-year tenure, described the measure as cruel and shortsighted in her veto message. She argued that it punishes children brought to the United States by their parents and undermines the state's need for an educated workforce. Americas immigration system is broken, but this is not the way to fix it, Kelly said.

The bill passed the Senate 22-18 and the House 78-46 in March, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for an override. Senate President Ty Masterson, a Republican...