State Budget
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes the State should practice fiscal discipline.
• Keep (or reduce) state spending at or below the rate of inflation
• Establish Rainy Day Fund by placing State General Fund ending balance into fund
• Seek out efficiencies – size of State government, performance-based budgeting

Taxation
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes in a fair and equitable system of taxation that promotes private sector growth and makes Kansas more competitive.
• Support business tax reform including an elimination of the Kansas corporate income tax
• Support long-term state tax structure reform including the reduction of personal income tax allowing for increased investment in Kansas small businesses
• Oppose increases in business taxes that would negatively impact Kansas’ competitive environment

Economic Development
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes the State should invest in economic development and develop programs that result in jobs and investment.
• Support continued funding of the National Institute for Aviation Research
• Create competitive economic development incentives, and make Kansas a leader in innovative research, manufacturing, and technology

Education
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes a strong education system is vital in workforce and talent development.
• Educational funding decisions should be at the sole discretion of the legislature and not the court system
• Continued funding for the National Center for Aviation Training as part of on-going workforce development critical to the aviation manufacturing cluster

Investment-friendly Business Environment
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes an investment-friendly business environment is critical in order to be a competitive and attractive business destination.
• Legislature should address issues, including court decisions, that could significantly increase the cost of workers compensation insurance
• Support significant structural changes in the unemployment insurance program to address the insolvent fund, including experience ratings and eligibility requirements
• Support for legislation to allow admission of evidence that shows plaintiff’s losses have been compensated from other sources such as insurance or workers compensation, known as “collateral source.” 

Regulatory Environment
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes there must be certainty in the regulatory environment in order for business to grow and relocate in Kansas.
• State and Federal Agencies must be prohibited from misusing rule and regulation authority in place/lieu of policy decisions made by the legislature

Transportation
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes a strong transportation infrastructure is critical in developing and expanding commerce.
• Urge continued state financial participation in efforts to continue low-cost air service from Wichita’s Mid-Continent Airport
• Support the current comprehensive state transportation program
• Dedicated transportation funding streams should only be used for the transportation program

Environmental Resources
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes that environmental management must take a balanced and reasonable approach that protects the environment without putting unnecessary burdens on business.
• Support on-going funding for Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project
• Support an air quality smoke management plan
• Encourage Legislature to pass a concurrent resolution calling on Congress to curb the EPA overreaching actions dealing with carbon and the Attorney General to represent the best interests of Kansas

The Wichita Metro Chamber supports the 2011 Unified Legislative Agenda.
 

For the past five years, the Visioneering Wichita Unified Legislative Alliance has produced the Unified Legislative Agenda (ULA) which includes key community issues with benchmarks that affect job growth, education and per capita income.

Aviation
• Keep the Kansas aviation industry competitive through continued state investments in the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University and through support of business-driven technical training at the National Center for Aviation Training at Jabara. (2011: ongoing support)

Medical
• State support for 25% expansion in the capacity of nursing programs in existing post-secondary public education institutions in South Central Kansas. (2011: maintain funding)
• Support for a Kansas Center for Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Research in south-central-Kansas through the Kansas Bioscience Authority. (2011: ongoing funding)

General Infrastructure
• State support to maintain and expand low cost commercial air service from Mid-Continent Airport. (2011: maintain funding)
• Support for funding for Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project and maintenance of ongoing funding by becoming a Kansas Water Authority line item. (2011: maintain funding)
• Support for Kansas Small Business Development Centers (KSBDC) and maintenance of ongoing funding. (2011: maintain funding)