Kansas has a new border security mission and tougher penalties for killing police dogs

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly could be headed toward a court fight with the Republican-controlled Legislature over a newly enacted measure that says Kansas will help Texas in its dispute with the Biden administration over border security.

Republican legislators overrode Kelly’s veto of budget provisions on immigration before adjourning their annual session early Wednesday. They also enacted a new law increasing the penalties for killing police dogs and horses, also over Kelly’s veto, and finished work on a $25.4 billion state budget for the 12 months beginning July 1.

Action on notable issues of this year’s session:

IMMIGRATION

The immigration provisions task the Kansas National Guard with helping Texas officials and also set aside $15.7 million to pay for sending personnel and equipment to the U.S.-Mexico border.

But it’s not clear it will happen.

Kelly said this week that she doesn’t have to spend the money as directed because the state constitution makes her the guard’s commander, and legislators don’t control its operations.

“I don’t work for them,” she said in a brief interview.

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