Kansas Governor Blocks Attack On Transgender Athletes, Civics Test For High Schoolers, NRA Curriculum

By Sherman Smith, Kansas Reflector

April 22, 2021

TOPEKA — Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday vetoed a series of controversial bills that would have banned transgender athletes from school sports, required high schoolers to pass a civics test before graduation, and install NRA-sponsored curriculum in public schools.

The Republican-dominated Legislature is certain to attempt an override of the vetoes when lawmakers return in May, but none of the three bill blocked by the governor passed with a veto-proof two-thirds majority in both chambers.

Kelly said the Legislature’s attack on transgender athletes “sends a devastating message that Kansas is not welcoming to all children and their families.” Senate Bill 55 would limit participation in K-12 and college sports based on an individual’s assigned gender at birth.

“As Kansans, we should be focused on how to include all students in extracurricular activities rather than how to exclude those who may be different than us,” Kelly said. “Kansas is an inclusive state, and our laws should reflect our values. This law does not do that.”

The NCAA indicated it could withdraw basketball tournaments planned for Wichita and Kansas City if the law were enacted. The Democratic governor said the law would harm the state’s ability to attract and retain businesses.

Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, said in a joint statement earlier this month that they won’t back down.

“We will not sell out decades of progress by women for a few days of a basketball tournament,” they said. “We will continue to engage in this debate with scientific facts, civility and respect.”

House Bill 2039 would require high schoolers to pass a civics exam and financial literacy class before they could graduate. House Bill 2089 requires gun safety courses taught in grades K-5 to follow curriculum offered by the National Rifle Association.

Kelly said the Kansas Constitution gives the Kansas State Board of Education the authority to set curriculum for public schools.

“This is legislative overreach,” the governor said. “I encourage the Legislature to work with the State Board of Education to modify curriculum.”

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