Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly is calling on Kansas officials to stop distracting themselves with what she calls wedge issues in education.

That was part of Kelly's message last night during her State of the State address, rebuking the republican-controlled legislature pursuing policies she says cater to conservative parents unhappy with public schools. Kelly wasn’t specific, but top Republicans have promised to pursue several ideas passed in GOP-led states including restrictions on what public K-12 schools can teach about gender and sexuality. Kelly also toughened her rhetoric in advocating for legalizing marijuana for medical use.

In Republicans' official response, taped two weeks ago, Senate President Ty Masterson, a Wichita-area Republican, said that under Kelly, the state is on a path toward making K-12 schools into what he calls “factories for a radical social agenda.” Masterson also said after the speech that the Senate would consider medical marijuana proposals this year.