Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 347, that gives massive incentives to a ‘mystery company’ that promises to make a $4 billion investment in the State. Caryn Tyson wants to know what qualifies as an investment. She says the new law lets the Commerce Secretary make that decision. She is concerned about the State basically giving away nearly a billion dollars, as well as local governments possibly giving away buildings, land and abating property taxes. She is also concerned about the secrecy of the ‘mystery company’. She says she did not sign the non-disclosure to keep the company a secret, as it goes against everything she has been fighting for… transparency… and to stop government from picking winners and losers in business. She wants the Legislature to, instead, pass tax cuts that help existing businesses and make Kansas a more appealing State for businesses to come to.
The ‘mystery company’ is rumored to be Panasonic, who will build a plant to make batteries for electric vehicles. The Kansas City Star believes the plant would be built at the former Sunflower Ammunitions Plant near DeSoto.
