Jeff Pittman urges the Kansas Legislature, now in session, to use caution as it decides
how to spend its estimated $2 billion surplus in state funds.
Pittman, the Democrat Senator from the Fifth State Senate District, was the guest speaker at
the monthly meeting of the Congressional Forum Friday, Jan. 20 at Children’s Mercy Park. The
Forum is a division of the Kansas City, Kansas, Area Chamber of Commerce. The Fifth District
includes the Piper Community in Western Wyandotte County and parts of Southern
Leavenworth County.
Pittman said he is well aware of what it is like when there is a lack of revenue in the state. He
first came to the Kansas Legislature in 2016 as a member of the Kansas House of
Representatives from Leavenworth County. The financial ratings services downgraded the state
because of poor financial management. The Kansas Department of Labor suffered because of
an outdated computer system. The Department of Corrections found it very difficult to fill
personnel positions. The state was robbing money that should have gone to the Kansas
Department of Transportation to pay other bills.
Pittman said since the state is in better shape financially, it was able to invest a billion dollars in
its retirement fund.
Pittman spoke of the opportunities that the new Panasonic battery plant will provide; it will be
built in DeSoto on the property where the Sunflower Ordinance Plant was located. It is
estimated it will employee 4,000 persons who will come from the Greater Kansas City Area. He
also cited the new Urban Outfitters distribution center on land that the Kansas Speedway sold
near 110 th Street and State Avenue.
Pittman said the state is aware of the need to have a well-trained workforce and the need for
developing adequate child care. These will be important issues during this session along with
rising property taxes.
Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is Recording
Secretary of Business West.