The Garden City Telegram
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Coalition working on legislative policy
Published 10/23/2009 in Local News
By SHAJIA AHMAD
DODGE CITY -- Officials from three southwest Kansas cities have drafted a legislative policy and plan to return to their respective governing bodies to adopt the agenda that outlines their goals for this corner of the state.
Members of the Southwest Kansas Coalition -- comprising of city officials from Garden City, Dodge City and Liberal -- met Thursday night at the Dodge House Hotel to discuss policies that Garden City Manager Matt Allen described as "much thinner and more specific than last year's."
The seven-page document that outlines both state and federal issues such as economic development projects and immigration reform also prioritizes transportation projects in the area.
The coalition plans to continue its efforts with state legislators to make U.S. Highway 54 a four-lane road from Mullinville to Kingman, about a 75-mile strip.
Coalition members have said they believe the improvements may get them closer to a four-lane highway in southwest Kansas, even though the project between Mullinville and Kingman does not directly touch the three cities.
In addition, any future state transportation projects should establish a goal of improving U.S. Highway 50 to a four-lane highway between Garden City and Dodge City, according to the written policy.
The coalition's lobbyist, Robin Jennison, recommended that city officials try to meet with Kansas House Republican Gary Hayzlett, R-Lakin, in the upcoming months, prior to a mid-spring excursion to the nation's capital to meet with Kansas' federally-elected officials.
Jennison said he doesn't see any movement to develop any bonds or other taxing methods to fund the plans in the near future and that it could be two years before the cities see concrete action.
"The cities need to create an expectation for (Hayzlett) that they want these projects done. Gary's got the clout to do it," Jennison said. "That way, whether the economy turns around soon or not, you guys are going to be in a pretty good position when something does happen."
Hayzlett is the chairman of the House Transportation Committee and only one of two state legislators representing districts west of Wichita on the 19-member committee.
City officials from all three governing bodies agreed to meet in Liberal for their next session. A date and time have yet to be determined.
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