State Budget
The Wichita Metro Chamber believes the State should practice fiscal discipline.
• Reduce or maintain state spending at FY13 level
• Establish Rainy Day Fund by placing State General Fund ending balance into fund
• Seek out efficiencies and implement priority- or performance-based budgeting throughout all levels of state government
• Establish a “BRAC-like” process for closure or realignment of government functions and agencies
• Support outsourcing state government functions to the private sector while maintaining needed services
• Move the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System from a defined benefit system to a defined contribution system  

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 reduction of the Kansas corporate income and Kansas privilege tax
• Continued support of long-term state tax structure reform including further reduction of personal income tax
• Oppose increases in business taxes that would negatively impact Kansas’ competitive environment
• Encourage e-Fairness legislation in order to solve inequities regarding collection of sales taxes by out-of-state, online-only retailers
• Oppose repeal of any existing sales tax exemptions on business inputs and services
• Retain Historic Preservation tax credits
• Oppose elimination of the High Performance Incentive Program (HPIP) 

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 the National Institute for Aviation Research
• Create competitive economic development incentives and making Kansas a leader in innovative research, manufacturing, and technology
• Retain and enhance tax incentives to include more flexible investment and job development tax credits with options for cash incentives
 

 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
• Encourage competitive and innovative educational approaches  

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.
• Support Payroll Protection Act
• Support significant structural changes in the unemployment insurance program to address experience ratings and eligibility requirements and index the number of weeks of unemployment benefits to the state’s unemployment rate
• Support 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.”
• Support the current cap for settlements awarded for non-economic damages
• Support legislation allowing parties to collect attorney fees as a prevailing party
• Modify the workers’ compensation nomination process for Administrative Law Judge and Board of Appeals appointments to ensure those with the highest qualifications are appointed
• Maintain fair labor practices by opposing unfair advantages for union organization, including “union card check” legislation
• Revise Kansas law to reflect Federal law when it comes to restraint of trade.
• Enact legislation that defines real property and personal property in order to maintain legislative intent behind the repeal of the MB&E tax 

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.
 • Prohibit State and Federal Agencies 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 the 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

For the past seven years, the Visioneering 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. (2013: ongoing support)

Medical
• Support for a Kansas Center for Innovation for Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Research in south-central-Kansas through the Kansas Bioscience Authority. (2013: ongoing funding)

General Infrastructure
• State support to maintain and expand low cost commercial air service from Mid-Continent Airport. (2013: 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. (2013: maintain funding)
• Support for Kansas Small Business Development Centers (KSBDC) and maintenance of ongoing funding. (2013: maintain funding)