The chairman of Wenger Manufacturing Inc., an NFIB member business since 1966, sent a letter recently to members of the Kansas Legislature urging them to support small business and uphold the tax cuts passed in 2012. We think it does a wonderful job of summing up what lower taxes can mean to a small business.
A personal letter can have a tremendous impact on lawmakers, because it shows them exactly how their actions can affect ordinary Kansans.
The more letters we send to legislators about preserving the 2012 tax cuts, the more likely legislators are to vote in our favor. That’s why we’re asking you to please contact your local legislators and tell them what the 2012 tax cuts have meant to your small business and what would happen if the Legislature votes to raise taxes on small business.
If you have any questions about writing your legislators, please contact Kathy Peerson at [email protected] or 866-782-6390.
Here is the letter from Wenger’s chairman, LaVon Wenger:
Dear Legislator,
I want to express our appreciation to Governor Brownback and the Republican Legislature for their pro-grown agenda, including the elimination of income taxes on small business in Kansas effective January 1, 2013. This legislation reflects an awareness of what it takes to attract and retain companies that provide jobs for Kansans.
Currently, Wenger Manufacturing, Inc. and subsidiaries (Wenger), a family owned company, employes 300 people in Kansas. The elimination of small business income taxes has allowed Wenger to re-invest in Kansas. This reinvestment includes: hiring new employees, expanding facilities, purchasing production equipment and funding research and development.
Wenger has increased full-time employees by 27, since enactment of the small business tax cuts. These hires include engineers, sales professionals, machinists and welders. Wenger today continues to recruit and advertise for the employment of engineers and skilled production employees for our operation in Kansas.
Wenger’s investment in fixed assets in Kansas since January 1, 2013 is over $9 million. These expenditures include vertical and horizontal milling centers and fabrication investments in laser and waterjet cutting machines. Wenger just completed a $2.5 million, 15,000 square foot facility expansion, and we’re in the process of renovating our conference and training center.
It is quite evident, Governor Brownback and the Kansas Legislature’s tax policies have had a profound impact on Wenger. Wenger has a choice where to invest and hire employees and due to the pro-business environment in Kansas, we continue to expand here at home in Kansas. I strongly encourage the Kansas Legislature to continue to support the pro-growth tax policy adopted in 2012.
LaVon Wenger, Chairman of the Board
Wenger Manufacturing Inc.
