Kansas Chamber Outlines 2021 Legislative Agenda to Foster Economic Growth
The Kansas Chamber on Sunday released its 2021 legislative agenda, a comprehensive plan focused on strengthening the Kansas business community and propelling the state’s competitiveness on the global stage.
“The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent government shutdowns and restrictions hurt our state’s economy tremendously. Unfortunately, much like our historical economic performance, Kansas’ recovery during the second half of 2020 lagged behind the rest of the states,” said Chamber President and CEO Alan Cobb. “ As vaccinations are delivered and the economy reopens, Kansas must take the necessary steps to remove barriers to improve our state’s business environment and to encourage job creation. We believe as more Kansas businesses prosper, so will their employees, their communities, and our great state.”
The recommendations in Chamber’s 2021 agenda fall under nine policy areas, including taxation, government efficiency, and legal reform, among others. Particular areas of priority for the Chamber this session include:
Repealing the unlegislated tax increase on families and businesses by decoupling from the 2017 Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (Taxation)
Ensuring transparency in property taxes for home and business owners by supporting a truth in taxation model. (Taxation)
Maintaining a set of clear requirements in the regulatory process that instills confidence for businesses that follow the rules when seeking to do business in the state. (Regulatory affairs)
Promoting coordination of resources and curriculum between K-12 and higher education to ensure the state’s workforce needs and student education are aligned. (Education)
Increasing work-based learning opportunities for high school students by limiting liability for the businesses participating in school sponsored programs. (Education)
Strengthening the state’s weakened legal system by reinstating of caps on non-economic damages. (Legal Reform)
The Chamber also renewed its Relief and Recovery Agenda aimed specifically at how the state can rebound from the pandemic. “A new year brings excitement and opportunity for our wonderful state to accomplish great things, together, for a better Kansas. The Chamber and its members look forward to working with Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Legislature to determine on how Kansas can deliver better government for less and eliminate the barriers that continue to hold our state back," said Cobb.
Input for the Chamber’s legislative agenda is gathered from the Chamber's Board of Directors, Cornerstone members, Chamber member task groups, and in-person meetings throughout the state as well as from research from its Annual Business Leaders Poll and Annual Competitiveness Index.
Click here to read more about the Chamber’s 2021 legislative agenda, including the full list of priorities. It also can be found at www.KansasChamber.org/LegislativeAgenda.
