Kansas has long prided itself on being a state that welcomes businesses with open arms. Our low taxes, streamlined regulations, and dedicated workforce have made us a model for economic growth. I know this because I am from the same hometown, Agra, as Reed Larson, who is credited with being the historical leader of the Right to Work movement. Kansas has always relied on hard work and kept politics out of the workplace.
Our congressional delegation has long been united in preserving the Kansas way of doing business. For example, Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., recently pushed for legislation to reduce regulations on small businesses saying, “It’s time to slash the red tape and create a regulatory environment that ensures America’s small businesses, the backbone of our economy, thrive.”
However, a new threat to Kansas business owners has emerged in the form of a legislative framework that the Institute for the American Worker has dubbed the “PRO Act Lite,” modeled after the failed policies of Senator Bernie Sanders and other progressive lawmakers. While it may come with a new label, the substance remains the same. This proposal would drive up labor costs, stifle economic opportunity, and make it significantly harder for employers to create jobs.
The framework’s first damaging piece of legislation would impose strict deadlines for collective bargaining, forcing employers and unions to begin negotiations within 10 days and finalize agreements within months. It would remove the flexibility needed to reach fair agreements that work for both parties.
Rushing negotiations opens the door for government intervention in private sector contracts, potentially leading to mandated wages and working conditions without regard to business realities. Such heavy-handed tactics will disproportionately impact small businesses, which may lack the legal resources to navigate this complex process. I can tell you from firsthand knowledge that Kansas job creators do not want Washington dictating the terms of their employee contracts.
Some of the PRO Act Lite’s other proposals could be even worse. One of the most concerning is its push for ambush elections. This provision would require union elections to take place in less than 20 business days, severely limiting the time for employers to respond and provide accurate information to their employees. Unions often campaign in secret for months, but under the proposed plan, employers would be left scrambling to ensure workers hear both sides of the story. This lack of transparency undermines the decisionmaking process.
The framework also seeks to strip employers of their right to communicate with their employees about unionization. Under the proposal, mandatory meetings where employers present factual information about the impacts of union representation would be banned. Yet unions face no such restrictions.
Employer communication is critical for maintaining a balanced dialogue. Without it, workers may only hear one side of the story, namely, unrealistic promises by union organizers. Preventing employers from participating in this conversation is not only unfair but also a blatant infringement on free speech.
The PRO Act Lite also introduces lopsided civil penalties that target employers while giving unions a free pass. Employers could face fines of up to $50,000 per violation, with company executives held personally liable. Yet unions that commit unfair labor practices would face no equivalent punishment. This imbalance distorts the National Labor Relations Act’s original intent to ensure fair play for both employers and unions.
Kansas has shown time and time again that pro-business policies benefit workers and lead to economic prosperity. Rather than adopting failed policies from the past, we should focus on solutions that foster job creation and economic growth. By reducing regulatory burdens, supporting workforce development, and encouraging innovation, we can build a stronger future for all Kansans.
Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, represents the 110th District in the Kansas House of Representatives.