Pub. 5 2016 Issue 2

March 2016 7 l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s on the second year when the full budget isn’t debated. The session may be as short as 60 days. There was a transition to the Statehouse where the group heard a short presentation from Senator Jeff Longbine, Chairman of the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. There was also a short welcome and presentation from Representative Scott Schwab, Chairman of the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. Following the Statehouse presentations the group attended the House Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee Hearing where KBA Chairman Bob Leftwich, Equity Bank, Wellington and KBA State Affairs Committee Chair Kurt Knutson, Freedom Bank, Kansas City, testified about the perspectives of a rural community banker and a metro center community banker in today’s ever increasing regulatory climate. The KBA legislative reception was well attended by both bankers and legislators later that evening at the Topeka Country Club. Ernie Yake, BankOnIT; Alex Williams, The Halstead bank; Jim Wayman, ESB Financial, Emporia KBA Chairman BOB Leftwich used good humor to help Kansas bankers understand the important role that BankPAC will play in the upcoming elections. Representative Scott Schwab discusses an idea he has for school funding. Tim Shallenburger, Office of the Governor, KBA Chairman-elect Jim Hoskins and Senator Larry Powell catch up at the legislative reception. Bank Commissioner Deryl Schuster, Dean Johnson, The Capital Corporation, LLC., and Kyle Russell, Verus bank, Derby. Former Representative Vern Swanson, Representative Susie Swanson and Leonard Wolfe, United Bank & Trust, Marysville paused for a photo. The legislative panel was lively as panelists are clearly entrenched in the ongoing budget debate. Panelists included; House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs; Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley; Senate President Susan Wagle and House Speaker Ray Merrick. Senator Terry Bruce and Pat Fallon, Central National Bank & Trust Co, Hutchinson, discuss current legislative issues. The KBA Public Affairs Conference had the honor of hosting ABA President & CEO Rob Nichols and Kansas Governor Sam Brownback in the speaker lineup. Pictured left to right are; KBA President Chuck Stones; KBA Chairman-elect Jim Hoskins, Baxter State Bank, Baxter Springs; ABA President Rob Nichols; KS Governor Sam Brownback; and KBA Chairman Bob Leftwich.