GOV. Kathleen Sebelius’ proposal for the state to pay signing bonuses for new skilled workers in aviation, biosciences and some other Kansas high-tech industries is likely to draw both interest and controversy when the Legislature convenes.
The governor’s reasoning in wanting to support these industries is sound. Aircraft manufacturing and support has long been the state’s chief technology industry and the Legislature has pinned its hopes for skilled-job growth on new biosciences businesses. To grow freely, both industries need, among other things, skilled workers who can step into jobs with little training. Competition for such workers can be fierce.
It is reasonable to assume that businesses would be more willing to expand in Kansas or move to the state if they knew that the state was willing to provide a financial incentive to lure needed workers.
But the governor’s proposal raises a troubling question: If Kansas is willing to use public money to make jobs in the private sector more attractive, why is the state still not willing to pay competitive salaries to those public employees who train the necessary engineers and biologists? Faculty salaries at the state’s universities continue to lag behind those of peer institutions. This in spite of the fact that universities and trade schools are, and should be, Kansas’ first source of skilled workers in tomorrow’s jobs. To supply those workers, the schools must attract and keep the best faculty. That cannot be done on the cheap.
It seems to us that the governor’s plan — well-intentioned as it is — skips a step in economic development. The state’s first job is to train the workers it needs for the industries it has or wants to attract. Then, if necessary, the state can chip in with hiring bonuses to keep those people working in the state.
When it comes to higher education, the big issue in the Legislature this year seems to be playing catch-up on infrastructure repairs that have been put off for far too long. There is no doubt that repairs are long overdue.
But that issue should not blind lawmakers to the fact that universities in Kansas have been allowed to fall behind in more than bricks and mortar.
Patrick S. Kelley
Editorial Page Editor