Chamber Legislative Priorities

Member Services

Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce
2012 Legislative Priorities

Economic Development Incentives

Kansas must have available a competitive business incentive package that is relevant, flexible and simple to utilize. It is important that the economic development tool box remain vibrant to assist in the expansion and recruitment of capital investment and quality jobs. In today’s economic development arena, the availability of cash incentives is essential, the Job Closing Fund, approved during the 2011 legislative session, was created to provide money for cash incentives. The legislature and governor are responsible for appropriating dollars to the Fund. Without such funds Kansas will not be able to compete with other states that have aggressive cash funds to help attract private investment. It is also important that Kansas maintain and improve useful economic development incentives including the High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP) and Providing Employment Across Kansas program (PEAK) to remain competitive.

Business Taxes

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce believes it is important to recognize the value and necessity for adequate state funds to provide efficient government services needed by Kansas citizens and businesses. As the Kansas economy recovers focus should be on assuring state tax dollars fund state operations, and then future attention should be given to:

Authorize the sale-ability, usability, or refund-ability of unused business tax credits
Reducing, over time, the corporate income tax
Reducing, over time, personal income tax on small businesses

Changes proposed to the tax code should not:

Increase the tax burden on Kansas businesses,
Eliminate sales tax exemptions on professional services, business component parts or other significant business sales tax exemptions,
Eliminate personal property tax exemptions for machinery and equipment (M&E) purchased after 6/30/2006,
Reduce the amount of tax credits/tax abatements or incentives granted by state/local governments when businesses have fulfilled their "agreed to" investment and job creation in Kansas.

Restricting State or Local Government’s Fiscal Authority

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce encourages economy and efficiency in government including controlling costs. However, these actions must be responsible measures and in no way detrimental to the growth and prosperity of the community. The concept of a state and/or local spending cap may be considered for Kansas. A constitutional or statutory spending cap is a rigid control which removes accountability from elected officials, creates an inflexible structure to deal with the future, stymies infrastructure improvements, and creates unforeseen consequences. It also may increase spending by creating an incentive to spend up to the level of the cap so the spending authority continues to grow each year. The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce opposes all constitutional amendments or statutory requirements that restrict a governing body’s ability to respond to the needs of its electorate, this includes TABOR or similar legislation. Local and state officials can make responsible spending decisions within the parameters of current law.

Comprehensive Transportation Plan

Available, diverse and well-maintained transportation infrastructure is critical to sustaining and growing the Kansas economy and providing the means for workers to meet the employment needs of Kansas businesses. Multiple modes of transportation are critical to a community’s quality of life, commerce, health and the safety of citizens and travelers. Therefore, the Topeka Chamber opposes efforts to eliminate or reduce current transportation funding sources or reduce and/or divert funds from the 2010 T-Works Transportation Plan.

Immigration

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce understands immigration reform is needed to assure that residents of Kansas and the United States legally work and reside in our communities. Employers are currently required to verify immigration status through required documentation prior to employment. The Topeka Chamber opposes legislation increasing penalties on employers who follow the law, yet unknowingly hire illegal workers. Immigration reform is best handled at the federal level.

Capitol Complex and State Operations in Downtown Topeka

As the capital city of Kansas, state departments and operations are primarily located in Topeka. Placing state government operations in downtown provides efficiency and coordination of government services. The city of Topeka is proud of its role as one of 50 capital cities in the United States and works to provide quality services and assistance as a partner with state government. A vibrant downtown is a critical component of showcasing state government in our community. Kansas government formerly demonstrated its commitment to the downtown capital complex with new facilities and by locating state offices in downtown Topeka. Dedication to this goal must be maintained and strengthened in order to continue to advance both the private sector and public sector presence in downtown Topeka. Revitalization of the center city remains a priority. It will require continued support and participation by state government to insure both private and public investment is successful.

Initiative and Referendum

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce opposes any legislative action to allow initiative and referendum in the state of Kansas. Kansas maintains a representative form of government that continues to work well. Citizens elected to govern elicit public and legislative input and consideration of subject matter when amending or instigating state and local laws. It is not in the best interest of business or the public to allow special interest groups to force ballot issues and their associated costs upon Kansas citizens.

Kansas Neurological Institute Closure

The Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce opposes efforts to close KNI in Topeka. KNI residents are very fragile; ninety percent of their population is profoundly disabled, many with multiple disabilities. These citizens require the most diligent humanity and sense of compassion. They require care around the clock, specialized medical & dental care, appropriate transportation, special equipment, maintenance, appropriate food and special means to provide nourishment. Therefore, decisions to move residents into community-based housing will not result in significant state funding savings unless the level of care is reduced.

There are also economic consequences to closing KNI. The estimated direct economic impact of KNI in FY 2010 was $28 million. KNI’s direct revenues, its spending and the spending of its workers, generate another $37 million in sales or economic output in area businesses and other organizations. In total the economic impact of KNI in FY 2010 was $65 million in the greater Topeka community. While the Institute employs over 500 individuals, KNI’s spending and the spending of its workers support an additional 700+ jobs in the area. In total, the Institute supports over 1,200 area jobs. In addition to the financial economic impact, closure would mean a major medical facility standing empty in the community.

For additional information about Chamber legislative priorities or information, please call or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 785.234.2644.