The Board of Directors of the Gardner Area Chamber of Commerce has adopted the following positions for 2008.

STATE & FEDERAL ISSUES

• Support establishment of a system that ensures the integrity of our immigration system and does not excessively punish employers completing reasonable and accomplishable due diligence standards regarding documentation.

• Support efforts to include a “second count” of students in K-12 schools. Districts must have the option of choosing to participate in the second count.

• Transportation

· Support for any and all transportation provisions necessary for an additional I-35 interchange and supporting infrastructure that would support the KC Logistics Hub. Additionally, we support continued assistance to improve the current Gardner Road interchange.

· Support relocation of the I-35 weigh station located north of exit 210 as well as promote the consideration of three lanes in each direction on I-35 south of 151^st Street to at a minimum the Johnson County line.

· Support truck route to deter traffic through downtown Gardner.

· Support planning for a North/South and East/West Corridor in Western and Southern Johnson County

· Support all necessary funding and permitting to implement approved expansion of U.S. Hwy 56 between Gardner and Hwy 59

• Oppose changes to statutes governing cities’ ability to annex unincorporated land with the County’s approval. We recommend allowing the current system to work.

• Support the development of a diverse spectrum of energy facilities throughout Kansas. We support efforts to promote energy efficiency without implementation of inflexible mandates.

LOCAL/COUNTY ISSUES

• Support the development of point to point, public transportation system for Senior Citizens and disabled individuals in the Gardner Area. Additionally, we support the necessary study and investment to bring more robust public transit to the residents and employers of Southwest Johnson County

• Support planning for a North/South and East/West Corridor in Western and Southern Johnson County

• Support the Merit Election of Judges in Johnson County