Topeka – Kansas State Representative John Grange (R-El Dorado)
announced
today he will work for sales tax exemption for the Kansas Wildscape
Foundation for building materials purchased for its cabin construction
program.
“This sales tax exemption is an investment by Kansas taxpayers that
will
have a payback beyond expectations. I will work the remainder of this
session to enact this legislation that will benefit all the residents
of
Kansas,” Rep. Grange said.
The Foundation works with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
(KDWP), the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) and the Southeast
Kansas
Education Service Center (Greenbush) to build cabins located at lakes
and
state parks across the state.
“This is a real private-public partnership that benefits everyone
involved
and Kansas taxpayers,” Rep. Grange said. “This work is done at no
cost to
the state. The Foundation raises and borrows the money to buy the
materials. KDOC provides the labor to build the cabins. Greenbush
oversees
the construction and training of the inmates. And KDWP manages the
cabins
once they’re built. It’s a great program that provides a
tremendous asset
to the State of Kansas.”
Grange said the numbers behind the program are impressive. Since the
partnership developed in 2005, 27 cabins have been built. Total
investment
so far is in excess of $1.1 million. Future plans include another
130-150
cabins for a total investment of between $5.5 and $6.5 million.
“Right now the Foundation pays about $2,205 in sales taxes for each
cabin. A
sales tax exemption on the materials the Foundation buys from Kansas
based-businesses would allow an additional cabin for every 16 built.
That’s
an additional 8-10 cabins,” Grange said. “Once all of the cabins
are on
site, KDWP expects to collect $1.5 million annually in cabin rental
and
that’s without considering increased park permit revenue.”
Another important benefit from the cabin program is the construction
training and certification it provides to Kansas inmates. About 100
inmates
graduate from the program and receive their certification from the
National
Center for Construction Education and Research (http://nccer.org).
“Inmates that are part of the cabin construction teams become
certified
electricians, carpenters, and plumbers. They gain experience in
construction finishing and furniture building. This program prepares
them
for life beyond prison and increases their chances of a successful
transition back into society,” Grange said.
Representative Grange said legislative options he is considering
include
asking for a bill to be introduced and worked in the House Taxation
Committee; having an amendment added to another bill in the committee
or
attempting to amend the legislation onto a similar measure during
debate on
the House floor.
