OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR OF KANSAS

KATHLEEN SEBELIUS

Governor's Column: Kansas...Where the Opportunities Are

The following is a column by Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

Those of us who call Kansas home know that it is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.  Now, the news is spreading.

Recently, researchers for Forbes Magazine scoured the country in search of the best place to locate a new business or subsidiary.  Their list published in the May 24 issue of the business magazine put Kansas at the top.  Kansas, the article said, is "where the opportunities are."

Having Forbes Magazine highlight our positive business climate as the best in the nation is great encouragement for further economic development.  As Governor, I take advantage of every opportunity I get to encourage businesses to bring jobs and development to our state, where the real opportunities are.  The Economic Growth Act that I recently signed into law, with it's emphasis on growing the biosciences industry in Kansas and growing jobs in rural communities, can only solidify our position at the top.

According to the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy in San Francisco, Kansas scored number one, thanks largely to its respect for property rights - less income redistribution and less tort litigation.  The institute cited the Legislature's consideration of bills "exempting custom software from sales taxes and eliminating the state franchise tax for most businesses."

The research institute evaluated 143 factors in five general areas -- fiscal, regulatory, judicial, social welfare and size of government.  Within those areas, researchers compared tax rates, state spending, environmental regulations, income redistribution and number of government agencies.  They also compared each state's right-to-work, prevailing wage and tort laws.  Kansas came out ahead of everyone else and earned its number one ranking.

While this is good news, we can make Kansas an even better place.  Economic development is intricately tied to education.  We can strengthen the Kansas economy through continuous improvement in public education.  Strong schools are the foundation of any long-term job-creation strategy.  By improving our schools, we can produce a world-class market for businesses and subsidiaries, continuing to be number one.