Working Families Find Friend
in Kansas Governor

« Contents



When Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez, left, and IAM
members met with Governor Kathleen Sebelius, center,  with
concerns about aerospace jobs leaving Kansas, the governor
immediately pledged her support.


When union members in Kansas launched a campaign to keep Raytheon, Boeing and other Kansas manufacturers from subcontracting jobs to overseas vendors, they came up with the concept of Grow Kansas.

The IAM, the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) and the Wichita/Hutchinson Labor Federation saw how strong community support had won similar fights in Connecticut and Washing-ton State. The first person they turned to was Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

“She was the most important supporter we could expect to have,” said Grow Kansas Coordinator Jeff Kniep. Sebelius pledged her support immediately.

“I’m proud to be part of the Grow Kansas movement,” said Gov. Sebelius.  “I feel keeping jobs and economic development in Kansas and the United States is critical.”

Once the governor signed on, other lawmakers followed. “Sebelius led the way,” said Kniep.

Sebelius was also an early supporter of “clawback” legislation, which reclaims tax incentive funds from businesses that outsource Kansas jobs.

“She was out in front,” said Kniep. “Sebelius wanted to make sure the outsourcing of Kansas jobs carried a high price.”

First Democrat  In 65 Years
Sebelius became Kansas’ 44th governor in 2003, the first Kansas Democrat to win an open seat for governor in 65 years.

Sebelius is the daughter of former Ohio governor, John J. Gilligan; they are the first father-daughter governor pair in U.S. history.


Workers in Wichita at the first Grow Kansas rally.
"Governor Kathleen Sebelius was the most important
supporter we could expect to have,” said Coordinator Jeff Kniep.


Willing to Help
Sebelius has won praise on both sides of the aisle for her accomplishments, including balancing the budget without cuts in education and social services or tax increases. But she has not forgotten Kansas’ families.

“Working folks are important to her,” said Kniep.

Kansas State Council of Machinists President Mark Love also gives Sebelius high marks.

“It’s pretty good when you can pick up the phone and call the governor, and get a call back,” said Love.

Because Kansas is heavily Republican, not all interactions with lawmakers are as successful. This is one reason the IAM strongly supported her candidacy and Sebelius has not forgotten.

“If she can help us, she will,” said Love. Sebelius even named District 70 President Steve Rooney to co-chair one of seven economic mini-summits to develop regional economic development plans.

Healthcare a Priority
Affordable healthcare is a top priority for the governor. The long-term availability and affordability of healthcare is a growing problem for both large and small businesses.

The Governor’s Office of Health Planning and Finance is bringing together providers, insurers, state agencies and advocates to propose initiatives that will reduce administrative complexity in the healthcare system; use the state’s purchasing power to control costs and provide real assistance to small employers to help cover their workers.

Aircraft Industry Turbulence
Kansas faces turbulence in the future, particularly at Boeing-Wichita. The company wants to sell off some commercial aircraft and support operations. The move would affect 8,300 employees.

Sebelius pledged to fight to keep the Boeing jobs in Wichita. She is working to find a buyer for the Boeing facility.

“We’re not talking about closing a plant,” said Gov. Sebelius. “We’re talking about selling work out of a plant. We need to keep good jobs here in Kansas.”