TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A key part of Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly's proposed budget dealing with pensions appears doomed, creating potential trouble for her efforts to boost spending on public schools and expand the state's Medicaid health insurance program without raising taxes.

Opposition hardened swiftly Friday to a proposal from the new Democratic governor to cut the next 17 years' worth of annual payments to the still-underfunded pension system for teachers and government workers. Kelly outlined the measure Thursday, along with the other details of her proposed $18.4 billion spending blueprint fo...