Marina
As Kansas looks ahead to the 2026 legislative session, Governor Laura Kelly is taking her message directly to the people.
On Thursday, November 6, she will host a town hall in Emporia to gather public input on state budget priorities — part of her statewide listening tour called “The People’s Budget.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the event, how it fits into broader state fiscal plans, and how you can participate before seats fill up.
Town Hall Details: What, When & Where
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Emporia Town Hall: The People’s Budget stop |
| Date | Thursday, November 6, 2025 |
| Time | 6:00 p.m. |
| Venue | Lyon County History Center, Emporia |
| Hosts/Participants | Gov. Laura Kelly and Adam Proffitt (State Budget Director / Secretary of Administration) |
| Purpose | Solicit public input on taxpayer priorities for the 2026 state budget |
| RSVP / Entry | First-come, first-serve, limited capacity; RSVP required (RSVP does not guarantee entry) |
| Tour Scope | One of eight stops across Kansas during fall 2025 |
The Emporia stop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Lyon County History Center, with doors typically opening about 15 minutes beforehand.
Attendees are encouraged to RSVP via the Kansas Governor’s Office website in advance, though submission of an RSVP does not guarantee seating due to venue capacity limits.
What Is “The People’s Budget” Tour?
Governor Kelly’s tour is designed as a listening and engagement effort ahead of her January 2026 budget proposal. Through eight town halls across Kansas, she aims to:
- Hear constituents’ priorities on education, healthcare, infrastructure, public safety, and more
- Compare public feedback against the budget passed by the Legislature, which her administration asserts is structurally unbalanced
- Build a more responsive and fiscally responsible budget plan rooted in public input
- Reinforce a message that taxpayer voices matter in determining state spending direction
The tour launched October 9 in Salina, followed by stops in Hays, Garden City, Kansas City (Kansas), Leawood, Emporia, Pittsburg, and concluding in Wichita.
At each location, Adam Proffitt — Director of the Budget and Secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration — will join the governor to explain fiscal proposals and field questions.
Governor Kelly has publicly criticized the current legislative budget for projecting a structural deficit of $300 million to $700 million annually if unchecked. The listening tour is intended to inform her counter-proposal and pressure structural reform.
According to her administration, the rationale is clear:
“Kansans should know and have a say in where their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are going.”
“…critical that we continue down the path of responsible budgeting to ensure Kansas does not return to the days of reckless fiscal mismanagement.”
What to Expect at the Emporia Town Hall
Attendees at the Emporia event can look forward to:
- A brief fiscal presentation by Gov. Kelly and Proffitt summarizing state revenue, expenditures, and structural gaps
- An open Q&A session to provide feedback, ask questions, and voice concerns
- Opportunity to engage with state officials directly
- Community awareness of how their input may influence the 2026 budget priorities
Because of capacity constraints, early arrival is advisable. Even if RSVPs are submitted, they do not guarantee admission — all seats will be allocated on a first-come basis.
The Emporia town hall on November 6 represents a key moment for Kansas residents to directly influence the 2026 state budget.
As part of Governor Kelly’s “The People’s Budget” listening tour, this town hall offers an opportunity for citizens to engage with leadership, voice priorities, and help shape how taxpayer dollars are allocated.
If you care about education, healthcare, infrastructure, or public safety, this is your chance to make your voice heard. Be sure to RSVP early, arrive ahead of time, and take part in this crucial statewide conversation.