On Thursday, Dec. 14, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the 2024 legislative platforms, used to provide direction on legislative issues.

Each year, the Board develops state and federal legislative platforms, which allows the Board to convey its position on issues it sees as important – notably issues to be considered by the legislature in the given year, or standing positions.

In addition to conveying the Board’s stance on key issues, the legislative platform also helps direct county staff and the county’s contract lobbyist about how to advocate for these issues.

The 2024 Johnson County State Legislative Platform identifies five priorities:

• Supports increased funding for mental health services and community mental health center grants.
• Supports Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
• Supports the continued expansion of the eligibility of the Homestead Act and SAFESR – Kansas Property Tax Relief for Low Income Seniors
• Supports dedicated funding of a comprehensive transportation plan including highways, airports, rail, trails and transit
• Supports changes to align apportionment of Kansas commissioner positions on the KCATA board (Kansas City Area Transportation Authority) with population.

The 2024 Johnson County Federal Legislative Platform identifies four priorities:

• Maintain financial stability for county governmental services
• Oppose unfunded mandates
• Restore the balance of federalism and optimize intergovernmental partnerships
• Successful implementation and execution of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for county governments

Find more information on the county's legislative platforms.