IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
July 6, 2007                                                                                          

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT                    
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
785/296-2302

HOUSE REPUBLICANS HONORED FOR COMMITMENT

TO HELPING KANSAS BUSINESSES

Topeka - The Kansas Chamber of Commerce has named 60 members of the House of Representatives “Pro-Jobs Legislators” for their work during the 2007 Legislative Session.

“These legislators distinguished themselves through votes and actions supporting the tenets of free enterprise in order to move Kansas towards becoming the best state in America to do business,” said Kansas Chamber Interim CEO Terry Leatherman.  “They also demonstrated a pro-business approach to public policy decisions as well as a behind-the-scenes leadership approach to improving the Kansas business climate.”

Those “Pro-Jobs Legislators” are:

Clay Aurand, R-Courtland                                                        Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita

Virgina Beamer, R-Oakley                                                        Bill Light, R-Rolla**

Bob Bethell, R-Alden                                                               Peggy Mast, R-Emporia

Elaine Bowers, R-Concordia                                                    Ty Masterson, R-Andover

Steve Brunk, R-Wichita                                                            Joe McCleland, R-Wichita

Jeff Colyer, MD, R-Overland Park                                           Ray Merrick, R-Stillwell

David Crum, R-Augusta                                                           Ronnie Metsker, R-Overland Park

Don Dahl, R-Hillsboro                                                             Jim Morrison, R-Colby

Owen Donohoe, R-Shawnee                                                    Tom Moxley, R-Council Grove

John Faber, R-Brewster                                                           Don Myers, R-Derby

Pat George, R- Dodge City                                                      Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls**

Mario Goico, R-Wichita                                                           Rob Olson, R-Olathe

Lana Gordon, R-Topeka                                                          Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson

John Grange, R-El Dorado                                                       Joe Patton, R-Topeka

Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin                                                            Virgil Peck, R-Tyro

Ben Hodge, R-Overland Park                                                   JoAnn Pottorff, R-Wichita

Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center                                                Larry Powell, R-Garden City**

Joe Humerickhouse, R-Osage City                                           Richard Proehl, R-Parsons

Dan Johnson, R-Hays                                                               Mark Rhoades, R-Newton

Kasha Kelley, R-Arkansas City                                                Don Schroeder, R-Inman

Dick Kelsey, R-Goddard                                                          Sharon Schwartz, R-Washington**

Mike Kiegrel, R-Olathe                                                            Stephanie Sharp, R-Lenexa

Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe                                                            Clark Shultz, R-Lindsborg

Forest Knox, R-Altoona                                                           Arlen Siegfreid, R-Olathe

Sheryl Spalding, R-Overland Park                                            Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing

Vern Swanson, R-Clay Center                                                 Bill Wolf, R-Great Bend

Lee Tafanelli, R-Ozawkie                                                         Kay Wolf, R-Prairie Village

Jene Vickery, R-Louisburg                                                       Ron Worley, R-Lenexa

Jason Watkins, R-Wichita                                                         Kevin Yoder, R-Overland Park

** 100% Pro-Jobs Voting Record

Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) said it is critically important to the state’s business community to make Kansas the best place in America to do business. 

“House Republicans established from the first day of the session our commitment to helping all Kansas businesses,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “I believe our work will keep our economy growing, encourage Kansas businesses to grow and reinvest in their communities, and attract new companies to our state.  All things Kansans will benefit from.”

Among the legislation approved by lawmakers this last session to assist Kansas businesses:

• HB 2264 repeals the State Franchise Tax. The five year phase-out begins by raising the threshold rate when businesses must begin paying taxes on their assets from $100,000 to $1 million in the first year.  Then the franchise tax is cut 25% a year until it evaporates.   It totals about $135 million in tax cuts in the next five years for Kansas businesses.

• SB 83 reduces the state’s unemployment insurance rates for businesses in good standing.  It will save employers more than $175 million during the next two years.

The Kansas Chamber, with headquarters in Topeka, is the statewide business advocacy group moving Kansas towards becoming the best state in America to do business. The Kansas Chamber and its affiliate organization, The Kansas Chamber Federation, have thousands of member businesses all across Kansas, including local and regional chambers of commerce and trade organizations. The Chamber represents small, medium and large employers.

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