An economic development bill that could bring a $4 billion business and more than 4,000 jobs to Kansas has been approved by the state Senate.
SB 347 would enact the attracting powerful economic expansion (APEX) act, if it's passed by the House of Representatives and signed by Governor Laura Kelly. The senators approved the bill 32-7 after it was amended.
If APEX is passed into law, it could mean that a company, which remains secret for legal reasons, could come to Kansas. Many in the Kansas Legislature believe it's important to move quickly before the company moves to a different state.
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce David Toland says the bill will help keep young Kansans from leaving the state to search for other employment, and help make the state more competitive economically with its neighbors.
Sen. Renee Erickson, R-Wichita, chairs the Commerce Committee; she says the bill would help Kansas businesses grow and thrive.
“This bill has brought a lot of discussion, a lot of disagreeing, what we here in Kansas refer to as cussing and discussing,” Erickson said. “But I do think that there is one thing we all can agree on and that is, as things stand, Kansas has not been competitive in attracting businesses as evidenced by the fact that there have been 11 opportunities in the past five years and we have not competed for any of those. We must do something different.”
Sen. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, sits on the Commerce Committee; she remained in opposition to the bill. She raised concerns at a past senate session, saying it would essentially be writing a company a check, and leave Kansas in a position having to pay money back on income tax.