Last fall, Gov. Mark Parkinson named Bill Thornton to his Cabinet as Commerce Secretary, just as a funding crisis was barreling down on Kansas. Thornton brings a business perspective to the role, which could be influential if, as expected, a sales tax increase emerges as part of the solution.
Thornton has served on the Kansas Chamber, the Kansas Bioscience Authority and the Kansas Board of Regents, and has held senior management roles in the private sector with MGP Ingredients, Hallmark Cards and as an attorney in Atchison. He took a few minutes during the middle of the legislative session in Topeka to reflect on his new role and the challenges ahead.
Q. How has your business background prepared you for the challenges of leading the department?
A. I’ve been fortunate to have had a broad range of experiences in my career; they’ve all played a role in preparing me for an incredibly complex job at a tremendously multifaceted organization. Even with my extensive background in business and industry, I’ve had to learn a lot—and learn it quickly.
Q. What do you see as the key challenges to improving the state’s business climate?
A. I believe we have a good policy framework in place. The key now is to stay true to the commitments we’ve made. The greatest challenge may be that, though we are immersed in a historical recession, we can’t forget the investments in relationships and funding that fueled current successes.
Q. What has Kansas done right to foster a healthy environment for business?
A. We’ve taken steps to grow the state’s bioscience industry. We’ve passed legislation to help the aviation industry. We’ve passed incentives and established a renewable energy standard that has catapulted our state to the forefront in alternative energy production. We’ve eliminated the property tax on new machinery and equipment for producers in all industries.
Q. In what way have those actions set the state apart as a business center?
A. To me, it’s all about commitment. Some states will pass an occasional piece of business-friendly legislation or try to capitalize on the latest hot industry. But in Kansas, year in and year out, we demonstrate a commitment to strategic, long-term economic development. I believe that business leaders and site-location consultants nationwide have taken note. They recognize our commitment to creating a pro-business regulatory climate. They respect our commitment to our educational institutions and the development of a versatile workforce to meet the needs of Kansas businesses. Most important, they’re reminded that Kansas is about leadership, innovation and the strategic pursuit of industries in which we have a comparative advantage, such as aviation, bioscience, agriculture and energy. These are things we’re good at.
Q. With a large percentage of its population (particularly the KC region) living near a border state, what special policy challenges does Kansas face to keep consumer dollars at home?
A. That’s a great question. Sharing a border and a metro area with Missouri creates unique policy issues. But it also creates some advantages, too. I’d make the case that if you have two progressive states that are constantly tweaking their policies to become as business-friendly as they can be, then at the end of the day, you’re going to have an incredibly competitive bi-state region that ultimately benefits everyone in both states.
Q. What do you see as the biggest challenges to commerce in Kansas coming out of Washington?
A. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m finding it harder and harder to predict what’s going to happen in Washington these days. These are complex times, and public opinion and policy agendas change. That’s why Kansas needs to keep focusing on what’s working for Kansas. We’ve weathered the worst of the national downturn; if we continue to address the short-term issues without losing sight of our long-term opportunities, we’re going to be just fine.
