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Time for the Olive Branch: Brownback

telecom bill praised by and about to be signed by Kansas Governor. Benefits disputed by critics.
photo by dan verbeck
telecom bill praised by and about to be signed by Kansas Governor. Benefits disputed by critics.

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-963342.mp3

Mission, KS – There needs to be less animosity between Kansas City, Missouri and the State of Kansas over the lure of businesses from one to the other. It was a frequent complaint during the recent K-C Mayor's race.

The Governor talked about it in Mission, Kansas this afternoon and KCUR's Dan Verbeck was there.

It's not a targeted raid to seduce companies to move, says Brownback. It's just the incentives Kansas can and does offer when approached by what amounts to corporation head-hunters.

He told reporters he understands the ill will and will see how he can change that, for mutual benefit.

The Governor put it this way-- " I would submit on something like KU med center and increasing its rankings because I think we need a first class medical school in the Kansas City area to grow the bio sciences . And that needs to be a very cooperative effort from both sides of the line."

Brownback was in Mission signing a telecom bill touted as good for business and the consumer. Although some consumer advocates say the deregulation will hurt some smaller customers in rural Kansas by higher rates.

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