Business-Friendly Climate

The KC Chamber supports a balanced tax structure that enables funding of pro-business policy initiatives and eliminates additional reductions in critical programs including education, infrastructure and the wellbeing of all Kansans. The Chamber:

• Opposes expansion of sales tax on professional and labor services.
• Supports the ability of cities and counties to preserve local control and taxing and spending authority including repeal of the requirement for a public vote to approve property tax increases.

• Support appropriate investments in “safety net” programs and policies designed to protect the vulnerable in our community and help prevent higher business costs in the future by creating a healthier, better educated, and more highly-skilled workforce.
• Support adequate funding of the judiciary and a non-partisan, non-political, non-election process for selecting high quality judges.
• Oppose initiative and referendum.
• Support rights of local units of government, educational institutions, healthcare institutions and other businesses to regulate the carrying of firearms (open or concealed) on their premises.
• Oppose additional fund sweeps.
• Maintain the integrity and affordability of the workers compensation system and the viability of the Employment Security Trust Fund.
• Support added protections for all employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity and oppose legislation that enables discriminatory policies of any kind.
• Support legislation to promote a pro-business legal climate and oppose liability-expanding policies.
• Support measures and financial resources that are dedicated for the planning and implementation of the 2020 Census which ensures accurate representation for federal programs and representation in Washington.
• Support viable measures to maintain the region’s military installations including Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley which are strong economic drivers in the local economy.

KC area businesses report one of the greatest challenges they face is the global race for talent. Skilled workers are the backbone of a productive and efficient economy, and a critical decision point in today’s business location decisions. In the knowledge-based global marketplace of the 21st century, a well-educated population with technical skills and problem-solving abilities is key to Kansas City’s ability to innovate, grow, and compete. The Chamber calls on Congress to support policies and funding to encourage a robust PK-20 public education system, keep higher education accessible, and encourage workforce development. 

Pre K-20 Education

The KC Chamber supports policies and funding to encourage a robust PK-20 public education system emphasizing pursuit of exemplary education including appropriate technical training and a rigorous science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum based on globally competitive standards and fostering a well-trained, productive, competitive workforce. The Chamber calls for: 

• Local control of education systems. (The Chamber opposes efforts to reduce federal education investment based on state funding and tuition levels and policies that support or incentivize K-12 scholarship tax credits, tax tuition credits, vouchers and similar measures). 
• Policies to encourage collaboration between superintendents and government officials as education policy is developed.
• Maintaining formula funding for Title I as opposed to a competitive grant model.
• Investment in early learning programs including Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Child Care Development Block Grant to allow assistance to an increased number of eligible children/families.
• Full funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).
• Programs to keep higher education accessible and affordable by maintaining funding for need-based student aid programs, including maximum level funding for year-long Pell Grants and other federal student aid programs, and increased federal investments to serve students seeking in-demand, non-credit credentials.
• Preservation and improvement of higher education tax incentives. 
• Efforts to encourage workforce development including increased funding for Graduate Medical Education (GME) to address the impending physician shortage and continued financial support of the Public Health Services Act (PHSA) which supports education and training for health care workers.

Globally Competitive Workforce Development

• Creating a competitive workforce involves “cradle thru career” strategies to strengthen the workforce pipeline, retool the incumbent workforce, and access an international talent pool. The Chamber supports:
• Policies that promote labor productivity, provide job training skills, and encourage more citizens to enter or re-enter the workforce, including full funding for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
• Increased investment in secondary level technical education, adult education, and English as a second language.
• Efforts to improve integration of secondary and post-secondary programs including promotion of increased dual credit opportunities. 

The KC Chamber supports a balanced tax structure that enables funding of pro-business policy initiatives and eliminates additional reductions in critical programs including education, infrastructure and the wellbeing of all Missourians. The Chamber:

• Supports measures to extend the earnings tax legislation for Kansas City, Missouri from a five-year term to a 10-year term with voter approval.
• Supports a fair and equitable taxation system that provides sufficient funding for the state’s infrastructure, education and research/innovation needs.
• Supports continuation of the 1/8th cent sales tax for the Conservation Department without a sunset.
• Supports reinstating the Missouri film rebate program as a tool for economic development.
• Supports maintaining funding for low-income housing tax credits.
• Opposes any efforts to restrict or undermine local control for Kansas City.
• Supports funding for the Missouri Arts Council, including the Non-Resident Professional Athletes and Entertainers Tax (A&E Tax) as well as funding for the Missouri Fine Arts Academy.

• Support measures to protect employers from frivolous lawsuits, including:
  • Tort reform measures to address forum-shopping abuse
  • Reform asbestos litigation, curb Missouri Merchandising Practices Act lawsuits, limit excessive punitive damages
  • Eliminate joint and several liability.
  • Support the enforceability and validity of fair arbitration agreements between employers and at-will employees that provide for mandatory and binding arbitration to address and resolve employment-related claims.
  • Oppose legislation to weaken non-compete laws.
• Support added protections, including the Missouri Human Rights Act, for all employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity and oppose legislation that enables discriminatory policies of any kind.
• The Chamber supports modernization of the state’s initiative petition and referendum process to ensure a fair and transparent process.
• Support measures and financial resources that are dedicated for the planning and implementation of the 2020 Census which ensures accurate representation for federal programs and representation in Washington.
• Support viable measures to maintain the region’s military installations including Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood which are strong economic drivers in the local economy.
• Support the modification of term limits in the Missouri General Assembly.
• Support the prohibition of campaign fundraising when the General Assembly is in session.
• Support adequate funding of the judiciary and a non-partisan, non-election process for selecting high quality judges.
• Support improvement of the 911 system by allowing counties to ask voters to renew a sales tax to support the 911 system.