Legislative Position Statements
 

Workforce Development

Southeast Kansas, Inc. supports workforce development and related strategies on the enhancement of education and training resources. This requires a focus on the integration and coordination of workforce programs, as well as streamlined access to such resources and programs by employers, employees, and job seekers.

We support excellence in educational institutions, which will result in the interactive creation of a continuously improved skilled Kansas workforce and will place Kansas favorably in both a national and international context. 

Specifically, and to this end, Southeast Kansas, Inc. proposes and supports the following goal-oriented objectives:

• Identify obstacles to workforce development in Kansas and implement        effective  solutions.

• Maintain and improve the retention of both employees and employers in Kansas.

• Seek opportunities for participation in the bioscience initiative and explore other opportunities for new and emerging technologies.

• Increase workforce appropriate educational attainment through training in       both hard and soft skills as well as promotion of lifelong learning.

Economic Development

As Southeast Kansas communities strive to maintain and create jobs within our existing industries and recruit new industries, we realize certain tools are essential to enhance our economic development efforts regionally and throughout the State. 

Southeast Kansas, Inc. strongly supports the following:

• The Economic Development Initiative Fund (EDIF) to finance economic development efforts. Since the mid 1980’s, the EDIF has been the sole           means of state financing for economic development.  Past legislative actions have resulted in a reduction in state economic development support.  We support the continued   use of gaming fund revenues for  economic             development and economic development   agencies.  We oppose any action(s) to use these funds for other purposes.

• The Kansas Economic Growth Act in its entirety and adequate funding for this initiative should be appropriated.

• Reinstatement of the provision of the Enterprise Zone law has expired. This provision is an important economic development tool for rural counties with small populations. Under KSA74-50,115 (2) (A), retail businesses locating or expanding in the unincorporated areas in counties of less than 10,000 qualified for a sales tax exemption on those items required for construction and   equipping on the businesses facility. This provision has a small fiscal impact on the state.

• Location of a prison in Woodson County which would benefit the state of Kansas because of its proximity to Topeka and the El Dorado prison facility, both within an hour’s drive of Yates Center.  Job creation and stimulus of the economy within Woodson County and the surrounding counties of Coffey, Wilson, Allen, Neosho and Greenwood would greatly enhance the quality of life within the Southeast Kansas Region.

Workers Compensation,

Unemployment Compensation

and the Rising Cost of Health Insurance

The communities of southeast Kansas strongly urge the legislature to take immediate action to improve the unhealthy business environment and reduce the cost of doing business in Kansas; specifically

• Change the Workers Compensation statute to be more employer friendly and less costly with regard to the treatment of pre-existing conditions, enforcement of the law, fraudulent claims, consideration of the aging process on the body and aggravation of pre-existing injuries;

• Change the eligibility rules for unemployment compensation regarding random drug testing, extended benefits, absenteeism and work sharing;

• Slow the rising cost of health care by place legislative controls on frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits and educating the general public on being a wise consumer of health care.

Transportation

It is the position of the broad-based membership of Southeast Kansas Inc. that this organization is in support of the Legislature’s continued full funding of the program of work set out by Transportation 2000, and subsequently adopted by the Legislature. In recognition of this area-wide support it is requested that all legislators from throughout the 13 counties represented by Southeast Kansas, Inc. cast votes in favor of continued necessary funding mechanisms.

While the benefits of an efficient and modern transportation system are well noted in its impact on economic development, it is also well documented that government expenditures on transportation improvements add an immediate return to the economy.

Southeast Kansas, Inc. concludes that it is in the interests of the region and the state to assure that the Transportation 2000 Program is fully funded and completed by 2009 as planned.  In so doing, the economic development and growth of the region will be strengthened and all citizens will benefit.  Legislators are urged to support legislation that will assure the integrity of the Transportation 2000 Program and to oppose efforts to delay or diminish the program in any manner.

Further, Southeast Kansas, Inc. strongly supports the formulation of a Comprehensive Transportation Plan 2010 and encourages positive steps be taken to begin the process to develop the next plan.

Tourism

Southeast Kansas, Inc. and its sister organization, Southeast Kansas Tourism Region (SEKTR), recognize the potential for tourism growth in our region with our rich history, unique cultures and natural beauty.  Together we support:

• Building a partnership with the Department of Transportation to encourage sign development of historic properties and tourist destinations. Establishing a highway billboard authority to assist communities in designing, constructing and promoting themselves via the  Kansas highway system.

• Continued support of Agri-tourism initiatives.

• Building coalitions with industry partners to find positive  solutions regarding liability issues.

• Preserving and advocating for the Kansas Division of Travel and Tourism Budget.  Supporting requests for additional state funding in order to compete on a level playing field at a National Level.

Legislative Council Members

Jim AuBuchon, Chair, Pittsburg

Kathy Swezey, Executive Director, Cherokee

Jerry Carson, Parsons

Ann Charles, Parsons

Brad Eilts, Chanute

Jon Hotaling, Burlington

Susan Lynn, Iola

Gwen Martin, Yates Center

Gene Merry, Burlington

Jim Miesner, Fort Scott

Brett Sayre, Lawrence

Jennifer Schmidt, Independence

Bill Swinney, Burlington

Linda Weldon, Chanute