|
Kansas Governor Applauded for Her Support of Home Building
 |
|
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was thanked for her support of the home building industry during a recent visit to the National Housing Center. | During a recent visit to Washington, D.C. to receive an award for bipartisan cooperation, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-Kans.) was thanked for her support of the home building industry in general and for passing legislation that contributed to the vitality of the industry in Kansas.
Sebelius, who recently received national attention when Time magazine named her one of the five best governors in the nation, was feted at a luncheon at the National Housing Center as part of the Democratic Governors Association’s Governor’s Series Luncheon.
Jerry Howard, NAHB’s executive vice president and CEO, thanked Sebelius on behalf of Kansas builders for signing notice and opportunity to repair legislation in 2003.
Sebelius praised the home building industry for its contributions to the economy and the country. She also spoke about the importance of attracting and keeping businesses in rural states like her own.
During the past legislative session, Sebelius signed legislation repealing property taxes on newly-purchased business machinery and equipment and on business property costing less than $1,500. She also approved legislation that prohibits cities from levying excise taxes on new developments, legislation supported by the Kansas Building Industry Association.
At the luncheon, Sebelius discussed the challenges of being a Democratic governor in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats two-to-one. She noted her attempts to bridge the gap between the two political parties by including Republicans in her cabinet and choosing a former state GOP party chair as her running mate in the upcoming election.
Through spending cuts, fee increases and some borrowing, Sebelius was able to overcome a more than $1.1 billion deficit and balance Kansas’ budget in her first year in office without raising taxes or cutting funding for education.
Because of her bipartisanship and leadership, and her ability to win in a heavily Republican state, many political pundits have touted her as a vice-presidential contender in the 2008 national elections.
 Attend the 2006 State & Local Government Affairs Conference
Plan to attend the 2006 State and Local Government Affairs Conference, Nov. 9-11, in New Orleans. Register today and join home builders association staff and builders to learn about the hottest housing issues.
For more information, click here.
|
