The Kansas Legislature’s 2026 Sessions began Monday, Jan. 12. The Great Bend Tribune asked area legislators about their committee assignments and what lies ahead this year. Sen. Tory Marie Blew, Rep. Sherri Brantley and Rep. Brett Fairchild all said lowering property taxes will be a priority.

Sen. Blew

Sen. Tory Mary Blew (R-Great Bend), represents District 33. Her committee assignments are the same as last year. 

She is vice chair of the Federal and State Affairs special committee and also serves on Agriculture and Natural Resources; Commerce; Local Government, Transparency and Ethics; the Joint Committee on Child Welfare System Oversight; and the Special Committee on Campaign Contributions and Transparency.

“We have our caucus meeting on the first day of session, so I’ll have a better idea of what to expect then,” Blew said. “School finance will be the big topic this session as the formula expires soon. Property taxes will most likely be a hot topic as well. Keep in mind, the Legislature is only accountable for the 20 mils for schools when discussing property taxes.”

Rep. Brantley

Rep. Sherri Brantley (R-Great Bend), represents the 112th district.

“As the 2026 session gavels in, the only committee change is my role in K-12 Education Budget as I assume vice chair. Since the end of the 2025 session, I have been working on some key pieces of legislation and will bring those forward during the upcoming session,” she said. She is also on the Education committee.

“Teaching sixth grade at Riley Elementary this past fall provided another valuable first-hand experience as a classroom teacher. This insight will help guide my efforts to support education across Kansas.”

Her other committee assignment is Legislative Modernization.

“Property tax relief also remains a top priority,” Brantley said of 2026. “Concerns about rising costs are shared by many, so the focus this session is on finding a solution that provides real relief for our community and Kansans.”

Brantley also commented on what happens after the legislative session wraps up in late April. She plans to schedule events around the 112th District to share updates from the session.

“Although this session will be busy, staying in touch with my constituents is important to me. If anyone is in Topeka or at the Capitol during the session, please feel free to contact my office and stop by. As I have said before, I am honored to serve the 112th District. Recently, I filed for re-election. Later this year, I will be back on the campaign trail knocking on doors listening and speaking with constituents.” 

Rep. Fairchild

Rep. Brett Fairchild, (R-St. John), represents the 113th District. This year he is on the Agriculture committee, Water committee, and Higher Education Budget committee.

“I’m usually active in introducing bills, and I usually introduce a combination of conservative bills and bipartisan bills,” Fairchild said. “I’m doing the same this year as well. I’m working across the aisle to introduce legislation to ban child marriage and legalize medical cannabis in Kansas.

“The more conservative legislation that I’m working on is pro-life legislation, legislation allowing ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine to be sold over the counter, and legislation enforcing free speech on college campuses.

“I think budgetary issues will be top issues this year, as we’re spending around $600 million more than we’re bringing in, and we need to figure out ways to reduce spending and balance the budget.”