WICHITA — Kansas politicians are scrambling to contain the economic aftershocks expected from Boeing’s decision to close its giant Wichita manufacturing plant. For state officials who frequently tout their business-friendly policies and their goals of creating more jobs, Boeing’s decision to close the plant and cut loose nearly 2,200 high-paying jobs has caused an economic firestorm and political embarassment for Gov. Sam Brownback and his allies. But Kansas University political expert Burdette Loomis said it’s still too early to gauge the political impact or to discern if embarrassment will be harassment at the polls in November. Although there is bound to be some political fallout, Kansas is a Republican stronghold and voters may not be willing to blame Boeing’s decision on Brownback, he said.
Thursday, Jan. 5, 4 p.m.
