Government Affairs Committee

Government Affairs Committee (GAC) 2026 Legislative Agenda

1. Purpose of the Legislative Agenda

To define and promote the Chamber's legislative priorities for enhancing business and economic growth throughout Leavenworth County. We will work with municipal, county, and state-level government officials, elected and appointed, to advance this agenda.

2026 Legislative Focus

2026 Standing Positions

The following are the Chamber's standing positions on various issues that may arise during the state legislative session or municipal and county administration. The Chamber supports:

1. Funding the promotion of tourism and the Kansas film industry.
2. Continuing state and local funding and improvement to state and federal facilities and workforce development programs.
3. Expanding and funding healthcare statewide and locally.
4. Finding and enacting prudent and effective ways to relieve and reduce tax burdens.
5. Ensuring complete transparency and reliability from all levels of government.

Kansas State Legislative Priorities

1. Transportation for Economic Development. Economic development depends on adequate access to businesses and markets. The Chamber supports development at all levels of government for future transportation systems that connect the Leavenworth/Lansing area and the rest of the county with other communities and the interstate transportation networks. This includes but is not limited to:
   A.   Replacing and building new bridges across the Missouri River (specifically replacing the Centennial Bridge and building a new bridge connecting Lansing with Highway 152 in Missouri)
   B.   Improving the north-south transportation corridors to be safe for local transportation and providing expeditious access to regional manufacturing and storage facilities.
2. Tax Policy. State and local governments should provide reasonable tax policies for adequate funding levels while:
   A.   Protecting the interests of our business members and incentivizing the creation and growth of small businesses
   B.   Ensuring that the county and city governments have the authority to raise revenue to pay for needed services and pay fair compensation.
3. Economic Development.
   A.   Incentivize the creation and growth of small businesses by funding appropriate programs such as PEAK, HPIP, CDBG, STAR, and JCF to attract new residents and businesses to the region.
   B.   Fully fund and implement collaborative efforts in workforce training programs under the KansasWorks umbrella.
   C.   Create policies and incentives to expand childcare and housing opportunities in the county.

Leavenworth County Commission

1. Economic Development. Provide leadership that promotes unified collaboration for countywide economic development efforts.
2. Transportation for Economic Development. Continue engagement with MARC and KDOT to update and advance the plans in Priorities for Progress: Connecting Community Opportunities to complete ongoing transportation projects and fund new projects.

Government Affairs Committee's (GAC) Purpose Statement

The GAC support the Chamber's mission by advocating for governmental policies that support business growth and enhance economic strength by:

• Pursuing legislation and policies that help business development.
• Enhancing the Chamber's influence with local, state, and federal elected officials.
• Educating public officials about the business community.
• Keeping Chamber members well-informed in a non-partisan manner about public policy matters that impact the business community

How the GAC works for legislators, other elected officials, government agencies, and members:

• Developing members' concerns into a pro-business legislative platform and advocating policies that promote business success.
• Producing reports and updates that help members to track legislative action.
• Producing nonpartisan information about candidates and elections, helping members and their employees to make informed voting decisions.
• Facilitating a broad range of opportunities for meaningful interaction between members and elected officials.
• Providing public presentations on advocacy and the legislative process.

2025 GAC Playlist