I read Dr. Ed Hammond’s recent letter (LETTER: ‘Dark money’ group’s push polling in Ellis Co. filled with untruths) with disappointment. There was lots of misleading and inaccurate information in that letter that I wish to correct.

For the record, neither the Kansas Chamber nor the Kansas Chamber PAC have participated in any “push” polling.

The Kansas Chamber PAC has endorsed Ellis County Commissioner Barb Wasinger because she understands the fundamental role business plays in the economic health of Kansas and her community.  It would appear Dr. Hammond’s outrage is based on ideology or partisanship, not geography.

I find it quite unfortunate Dr. Hammond chose to use such divisive rhetoric; I am not exactly sure what “Eastern” money is. The Kansas Chamber is proud to have members all over Kansas, including Ellis County.

As for the entire silliness of the term “dark money,” every penny the Chamber and PAC spend on elections and advocacy and every company or individual that contributes to the PAC is 100 publicly disclosed. You can find that information on the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.

There is nothing nefarious or complicated about what the Kansas Chamber PAC does. It does what the teachers’ Union PAC does, and dozens of other organizations that engage in Kansas legislative races. It endorses candidates who support issues important to the Kansas business community.

During the last two years, Rep. Eber Phelps voted with the Kansas business community just 11 percent of the time. He voted for tax increases on Kansas families and small businesses several times. He voted against returning a tax-windfall to Kansas citizens and businesses that resulted from the federal tax reform passed last year. He voted against reforming teacher tenure in Kansas; voted against legal reform as well as voted against business interests related to workers compensation.

Elections matter and the policy makers we send to Topeka determine whether Kansas businesses will thrive or suffer under the burden of an ever-expanding government. We must elect and maintain in office, legislators who will lead the charge for business, so our state and local economies can grow and create more jobs and prosperity for all Kansans.

Certainly, people can have disagreements on policy. But to do so, it helps to at least be reasonable and accurate.

Alan Cobb,
Kansas Chamber
President and CEO