No Kansas Democrats included in ‘Pro-Jobs Legislator’ list released by Kansas Chamber

TOPEKA (KSNT) — More than 100 Kansas lawmakers are being recognized for their commitment to supporting legislation that helps job growth in the Sunflower State.

The Kansas Chamber released its annual “Pro-Jobs Legislator” list. A total of 86 Republican House members and 30 Republican Senators are being classified as “pro jobs,” according to the Kansas Chamber. However, no Democrats are included in the list.

The business advocacy group selected lawmakers based on their support for legislation the Chamber says promoted economic growth and created Kansas jobs. Among those on the list are Republican House Speaker Daniel Hawkins and Republican Senate President Ty Masterson.

Representative Pat Proctor, a Republican who made the list, said that he believes Democrats consistently oppose legislation that supports job growth in Kansas.

“When we tried to require job training, get people out of government dependency, get them into the workforce, they fought us on it they said we were being too cruel,” Proctor said. “When we tried to do things to lower property taxes they said we were bankrupting the schools and they fought us on that. I think that there’s one party that’s focused on growing our economy and attracting people to Kansas, keeping people in Kansas, and there’s one that’s on the side of the administration and the teacher’s unions in our schools.”

Representative Stephanie Sawyer-Clayton, a House Democrat, contends the list from the Kansas Chamber does not accurately reflect her party’s commitment to job growth in Kansas.

“Kansas Democrats have proven time and time again that we are the true pro-business party,” Sawyer-Clayton said. “Through our consistent support of labor, our teamwork on economic development, and our steadfast support of education for all. It is a disappointment to see that the Kansas Chamber only supports legislators not based on their voting records, but on their party affiliation.”

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