Kansas Democratic leaders unveil jobs package

???? Kansas Democratic leaders are hoping to put more Kansans to work by encouraging casino development in southeast Kansas, thus creating additional jobs.
???? The casino proposal was part of a 14-bill package aimed at retraining unemployed workers, repairing local streets and helping small businesses weather tough economic times.
???? Lawmakers authorized state-owned casinos in four zones, including southeast Kansas, under the 2007 expanded-gaming law. Casinos are either open or close to opening in three of those zones ? including southwest Kansas ? but the state has failed to attract a qualified developer in the southeast zone. "There's very strong support in southeast Kansas for a casino project, and the Legislature needs to make some changes to the gaming law that would lower the investment threshold so we can get a project going in that area," House Minority Leader Paul Davis said during a conference call with Kansas reporters and editors.
???? He said lawmakers should reduce the minimum investment required for that zone from about $200 million to $100 million.
???? The proposal would also amend the expanded-gaming law to allow slot machines at horse and dog tracks around the state.
???? Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback told the Topeka Capital-Journal recently that he would discourage lawmakers from reopening the gaming debate in 2012, since their agenda is already full.
???? But House Minority Leader Anthony Davis of Topeka said he thought lawmakers would support efforts to attract a casino developer to southeast Kansas.
???? "I feel like there will be strong interest, particularly from the southeast Kansas legislators, to have their zone activated so they can also enjoy the economic benefits of a casino in their part of the state," he said.
???? Under the proposal, the state would earmark 20 percent of its annual casino revenues to help cities and counties repair streets and make other improvements. Another 50????? percent would be used for deferred maintenance projects at the state's Regents schools.
???? Other elements of the 14-bill package include:
???? ? The Hire Kansans First Act: Contractors or subcontractors working on state projects worth at least $100,000 a year would have to make sure that at least 70 percent of their employees on the project are Kansas residents.
???? The bill would not apply to city or county contracts.
??? ? Jobs training: This bill would offer individual income tax credits to students enrolled in post-secondary classes. Students who receive federal tax credits would also receive credits equaling 10 percent of that amount on their state income tax returns.
???? Other job training bills would offer tax credits to companies that offer apprenticeships and provide full funding for technical education programs.
???? ? Measures barring discrimination against unemployed job-seekers and forbidding employers from rejecting candidates based on their credit history.
???? ? The Kansas Immigration Accountability Act: This bill would require all state agencies, cities and counties to verify the immigration status of all workers using the federal E-Verify system.
???? Any contractor or subcontractor working on public projects would also have to use E-Verify.
???? ? A bill cracking down on businesses that misclassify their employees to avoid paying certain taxes, providing workers' compensation insurance or paying minimum and overtime wages.
???? The Legislature may take up the package when lawmakers convene Jan. 12 in Topeka.

???? Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or email him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.

Source: http://www.dodgeglobe.com/news/x2127215118/Kansas-Democratic-leaders-unveil-jobs-package

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