Legislative Priorities

Build Kansas’ Capitol: Strategic Infrastructure Investment

Priority: Secure state partnership to advance critical transportation and river infrastructure that improves safety, unlocks development, and strengthens regional competitiveness.

Topeka’s economic growth depends on safe, modern infrastructure. The Chamber urges the Legislature to prioritize state support, leveraged with federal and local dollars, to improve safety, access, and economic opportunity along the Kansas River and to advance two proposed highway interchanges at I-35 & SW Auburn Road and I-470 & SE 29th/California. These projects will ignite new economic opportunity, improve freight and commuter safety, and unlock private investment for housing, retail, and job creation.

Legislative Ask:

• Prioritize KDOT funding to advance Auburn Road and SE 29th/California interchanges
• Support Kansas River safety and accessibility through strategic investment

Grow the Workforce Kansas Employers Need

Priority: Protect and strengthen the talent pipeline, with focus on childcare and technical education.

Kansas faces a workforce shortage, with only 86 available workers for every 100 open jobs. Topeka employers need policies that remove barriers to work and expand access to skills training. The Chamber urges legislators to protect investments in Career and Technical Education, Excel in CTE, and the Promise Act, while supporting higher-education pathways aligned with workforce demand. Continued implementation of the Office of Early Childhood, along with childcare tax credits, is critical to workforce participation.

Legislative Ask:

• Protect funding for technical colleges, K-12 CTE, Excel in CTE, and workforce training programs
• Support childcare access through continued funding and tax credits

Keep Kansas Competitive: Protect Proven Economic Development Tools

Priority: Maintain stable, predictable incentives that attract investment, support entrepreneurship, and grow Kansas jobs.

Topeka employers value certainty. Proven tools like HPIP, STAR Bonds, PEAK, and angel investor tax credits are essential to competing for new investment, supporting innovation, and expanding small businesses and startups. These programs drive private-sector growth, leverage local investment, and support tourism and quality-of-place assets that attract talent. The Chamber supports regular evaluation, but strongly opposes defunding or weakening tools that Kansas communities rely on to compete nationally.

Legislative Ask:

• Protect HPIP, PEAK, STAR Bonds, and angel investor tax credits
• Continue investment in entrepreneurship, innovation, and tourism assets

Expand Housing Access to Support a Growing Workforce

Priority: Increase housing supply across the income spectrum to recruit and retain talent.

Topeka’s housing market remains one of the strongest in the nation, with demand outpacing supply. Employers increasingly cite housing availability, especially moderate-income and workforce housing, as a barrier to talent recruitment and retention. The Chamber urges the Legislature to expand housing incentives, strengthen state-local coordination, and protect programs such as the Moderate-Income Housing Program within the State Housing Trust Fund. A competitive workforce requires housing options at all income levels.

Legislative Ask:

• Expand affordable and workforce housing tax credit programs
• Protect and enhance the State Housing Trust Fund