March 24, 2010

The Honorable Mark Parkinson
Governor, State of Kansas

The Honorable Steve Morris
President, Kansas Senate

The Honorable Mike O'Neal
Speaker, Kansas House of Representatives

The Honorable Derek Schmidt
Majority Leader, Kansas Senate

The Honorable Anthony Hensley
Minority Leader, Kansas Senate

The Honorable Ray Merrick
Majority Leader, Kansas House of
Representatives

The Honorable Paul Davis
Minority Leader, Kansas House of
Representatives

As the Kansas Legislature and Governor Parkinson grapple with the 2011 budget, and the disheartening news of further revenue reductions, local communities also face diminishing revenues and challenges to meet the needs and expectations of the public. Most local chambers of commerce across this state are not immune to the effects the recession is creating within state government and within each of our local communities.

The decision by the 2009 Legislature and Governor to make major budget cuts in state programs was an appropriate response to quickly depleting state revenues. As the Governor and Legislature contend with the further constricted economy in 2010, our government leaders face the daunting challenge of funding the basic functions of government, K-12 education, higher education and transportation infrastructure. Some individuals and organizations have clearly stated the only response to this dilemma is limited to further cuts. These undersigned fourteen local chambers of commerce throughout the state are concerned about the devastating effect on the state and local communities when further substantial cuts are the only option considered by our state leaders.

These chambers of commerce embody collaboration within each community. We work with businesses, local governments and citizens to grow private investment and positively affect the community's quality of life so each city, town and county throughout Kansas can prosper. These chambers focus on economic growth by assisting businesses and working to attract more economic activity in our communities. This work is not done in isolation; there are many components that impact our chambers' success. The quality of life within each community is vital. People and businesses thrive when there is public investment in infrastructure, education, culture and the arts. Private investment is attracted to quality communities and states that provide essential infrastructure, including a quality transportation system to accommodate commerce, enhance business expansion and safely transport employees and customers. Local governments and the state provide amenities and incentives to assure private investment is made here rather than outside our state's borders.

It is true businesses bloom where public costs are reasonable; this is not to say being the lowest cost denominator is always the factor considered most important. Businesses understand the importance of quality and balance; most strive for the highest quality possible in providing their product or service at a reasonable cost. Businesses need quality workers who are educated and committed to excellence. Workers want to live in communities that provide a quality life for their families. Our chambers understand this analogy and strive to achieve such within our
communities.

The listed local chambers want to clearly affirm that our state's excellence in educating children, the availability of quality higher education from Kansas universities, community colleges, institutions providing technical education, and the continued improvement of the state's transportation infrastructure are critical to the future of our state's position as a viable economic engine to attract private investment and good jobs to Kansas and to our local communities. We do not believe the legislature and governor can only rely on further cuts to state services while preserving a quality of life in Kansas that meets the needs of Kansans and provides the quality moniker our chambers tout as we work to bring about more private investment and first-rate jobs in our communities.

We realize this may not be a popular notion, but it is a rational one. The local chambers listed below do not want our state leaders to lose sight of the importance of adequately funding K-12 education, higher education and transportation maintenance and enhancements, even in the difficult times we now face. We urge the Kansas Legislature and Governor to make cuts the state can withstand but also make the difficult decisions necessary to maintain our state's quality of life for its citizens and for the future growth of Kansas. If revenues must be enhanced for basic government services our chambers can support rational state revenue enhancements.

Janet Siebert, President
Arkansas City Area Chamber of Commerce

Cindy Malek, President
Dodge City Area Chamber of Commerce

Jeanine McKenna, President & CEO
Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce

Marieta Hauser, CEO
Grant County Chamber of Commerce &
Tourism

Kristi Wyatt, Interim President
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce

Doug Kinsinger, President & CEO
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce

Dave Kerr, President
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of
Commerce

Ericka Gillespie, Executive Director
Hays Area Chamber of Commerce

Cindy Cash, President & CEO
Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce

Lyle Butler, President & CEO
Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce

Deb Settle, President
Northeast Johnson County Chamber of
Commerce

L. Frank Taylor, President
Olathe Chamber of Commerce

Tracey Osborne, President
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce

Dennis Lauver, President/CEO
Salina Area Chamber of Commerce