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Obituary for the Kansas Bioscience Authority (2004-2016)

5/11/2016

10 Comments

 
​In the 2004 Kansas legislative session, the Republican-controlled legislature—​led by Representative Kenny Wilk and Senator Nick Jordan, working with Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius and her Secretary of Revenue Joan Wagnon—​created the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA). For six years, it enjoyed across-the-board support from the Kansas Legislature, the Bioscience community, and communities and research institutions across the state. Funding came from income tax paid by the existing bioscience companies already employing people and doing business in Kansas.

KBA’s success was based on some really sound thinking that made good sense both for the private sector and the State of Kansas. The vision was to build on the already existing bioscience success in the state through strong public-private partnerships. Common sense indicated that much potential remained. In time, our dependence on agriculture, manufacturing, and the oil and gas sectors would have another partner. The genius of the plan was to take the existing revenue stream and put it into an Authority established by law. The Authority would be governed by appointments from the Governor and Legislative leaders to hire the talent to wisely invest and partner with projects in the best interests of the state. They would be able to work with outside investors, making commitments for periods longer than one fiscal year, and not dependent on annual appropriations from the Legislature—​a key for private sector involvement.   

Successes included providing key leadership and timely resources for Kansas to be awarded with the NBAF selection (National Bio and Agro Defense Facility) now being constructed in Manhattan. NBAF will do the highest level research on zoonotic diseases, the ones that can move from animals to humans. Also, the National Cancer Designation for the the KU Medical Center allows area citizens access to new drugs on trial. KBA resources were key for funding nationally-recognized consultants, hiring nationally respected cancer researchers, buying much needed support equipment, and securing key infrastructure improvements necessary to compete. Both projects required strong leadership from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, as well as full support from our Congressional Delegation and the Kansas Legislature. These two projects alone will have broad positive impacts on the state of Kansas for decades to come, but it's likely that neither would have happened without the KBA's support and engagement.

The progress in that short six year window led to national recognition for Kansas and its growing bioscience sector and jealousy from surrounding states that didn’t have this engine for economic development.

Then came the election in November 2010 and a new Governor. Although nothing about the KBA was raised during the campaign, within 60 days of this new administration, that all changed. Concerns were raised that we were picking winners and losers (we did invest in proposals with the best potential), that we weren’t distributing the money across the state, and that the administration had evidence of criminal activity within the Authority and demanded a forensic audit.

No evidence of criminal activity was ever brought forward and a year later (and well over a million tax dollars wasted), they had found nothing of substance going back to the very beginning of the Authority. Oh yes, there were the drummed up charges against our CEO with the only findings tied to actions after the audit began.
​
The eventual death has been long and painful in coming. A tragedy for the state to be sure but only possible because enough legislators went along with the Governor’s actions and bought into a growing mentality that ignores the value of research and the need to wisely invest in the economic future of Kansas. For years, our state has been reaping the benefits of these important investments, but now I fear the only impacts we’ll feel will be the sighs of relief coming from the east, as economic developers in Missouri now see an opportunity to compete.
10 Comments
Patricia Terwilliger
5/11/2016 04:47:10 pm

This information needs to be in public @ tv news

Reply
Carlton A. Bird
5/11/2016 05:25:42 pm

Governor Brownback's policies continue to hurt Kansas. Keep informing everyone of the consequences of his failings!

Reply
Rob Denell
5/11/2016 05:32:45 pm

Very astute John, as usual. I couldn't agree more. As is often the case, I was aware of charges of fiscal impropriety, but not of the failure to substantiate them. Even if they were true, there was every reason to continue this valuable program under new leadership. Alas, there is no hope for that given the current Govenor and state legislature.

Reply
Steve Pfister
5/11/2016 07:09:29 pm

The fund began with news of $585 million. Attempts to track down the records of the disposition of these funds has been virtually impossible. Kansas taxpayers want to know what happened to these funds. A detailed accounting would be nice. It is questionable whether the KBA was primarily responsible for bringing NBAF to Kansas. It was certainly responsible for subsidizing some of the larger pharmaceutical corporations such as Pfizer and Bayer. (start-up companies?). Some more transparency is required, if you will.

Reply
Kent Roth
5/12/2016 03:48:01 pm

The Kansas Economic Growth Act of 2004 created the Kansas Bioscience Authority (KBA). Making a commitment to spend $580 million over 15 years. The authority invested $35 million to fund research related to the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility being built in Manhattan and $50 million to help The University of Kansas Cancer Center achieve National Cancer Institute designation. Biggest revelation of the audit was the Director who was the target of this investigation, after the audit began; traveled to visit the Cleveland Clinic on the State’s dime and the Cleveland Clinic hired him away from the job conditions he was experiencing under Governor Sam Brownback’s supervision. Right now classified State Employees who have not had a pay raise in over 8 year and who happen to have over 30 years on the job experience are having their work stations moved from one end of the State to the other in yet another example of working conditions under Governor Sam Brownback. Sam often blames Kansas economic shortcomings on “Obama”, but in his heart of hearts, I believe Sam really would prefer to blame everything on “Sebelius”. The fact Kathleen signed the law creating KBA in 2004 is the only explanation I can think of for the destruction of this successful economic engine for an important and growing segment of the Kansas Economy. Look out Alabama, Kansas is winning the race to the bottom.

Reply
Jennifer Bryan
5/12/2016 11:27:21 am

With the devastation to our state, particularly in education and advanced research, why would K State entertain the idea of Sam Brownback as their president?

Reply
Brian
5/13/2016 09:19:43 pm

The one positive thought we can dwell upon is that Shammy's political future is toasted! It's to bad the damage is already done though.

Reply
Brian
5/13/2016 09:20:10 pm

The one positive thought we can dwell upon is that Sammy's political future is toasted! It's to bad the damage is already done though.

Reply
Larry Walden
5/13/2016 08:19:26 pm

Reply
Greg Stephens
5/14/2016 08:21:01 am

Your voice is needed. Keep up the good work.

Reply



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    John W. Carlin​—​61st Speaker of the Kansas House, 40th Governor of Kansas, 8th Archivist of the United States, and student of leadership

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