Democratic Governor-elect Laura Kelly says she wants to overhaul the state’s troubled child welfare system, and she's made bipartisanship a goal of her administration. The cost of improving services could be a stumbling block for some state lawmakers.
Senate President Susan Wagle says improvement have been made at the Department for Children and Families. She says more needs to be done, but costs can’t be ignored.
“So I’m not interested in spending more money than we’re bringing in, but I’m definitely willing to work with her,” Wagle said.
Kelly calls the child welfare system a critical state service that needs an infusion of funding.
“Yes, we will address some of the problems in DCF," Kelly said. "Yes, it will cost us some money to do that, but at the end of the day I will present a balanced budget.”
Kelly is drafting a budget that she’ll present to lawmakers in January.
Stephen Koranda has more: