Chamber Adopts Legislative Agenda

The Chamber’s Legislative Affairs Committee, chaired by Richard Shank, has adopted the LEGISLATIVE AGENDA for the 2006 state legislative session. “Our committee’s objective is to serve as an ADVOCATE for the chamber membership on a wide variety of issues that impact the business community and our members”. stated Richard Shank.

• BUSINESS TAXATION.. The Chamber advocates for a favorable corporate income tax structure and a stable and fair property tax structure.
• COMMUNITY COLLEGE FUNDING.. The Chamber supports state funding for community colleges as outlined in legislation that placed coordination responsibilities for community colleges under the Kansas Board of Regents.
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.. The Chamber supports maintaining the 85% allocated for Economic Development Initiatives Fund. The Chamber supports the coordination of all state workforce efforts that enhance professional, technical and vocational education programs.
• EDUCATION – PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCE.. The Chamber supports increased state funding for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, linking funding enhancements to accountability.
• EMINENT DOMAIN.. The Chamber supports a full legislative examination of the current statutory authority of the uses of eminent domain for economic development purposes, including the limitation by conditions, and or elimination of the allowed practice.
• EMPLOYEE RELATIONS.. The Chamber opposes legislation that diverts unemployment compensation funds for other programs. The Chamber advocates for clarification of pre-existing conditions and strengthening the tests for work disability compensation for employees who are forced to leave employment for other that economic-related reasons.
• ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES.. The Chamber supports continued implementation of the State Water Plan and dedicated funding with an urban/rural balance. The Chamber encourages the use of renewable sources of fuel; in particular, the development of additional ethanol plants in the South Central Kansas region.
• STREAMLINING LOCAL GOVERNMENT .. The Chamber intends to take a leading role in Topeka during the 2006 legislative session to support the passage of “Gateway” legislation that will remove the impediments to, but not require nor prescribe, locally designed changes to streamline local forms of governance.
• TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.. The Chamber supports legislation to broaden the use of STAR bonds as a tool to assist tourism attraction development including non-urban areas.
• TRANSPORTATION.. The Chamber strongly supports implementation of the comprehensive state transportation program with priority projects for Hutchinson/Reno County including K-61 four lane to McPherson and US Highway 50 corridor/interchange project in Hutchinson/South Hutchinson.