Why is Game On interested in the email sent by Rep. Scott Schwab regarding RPS? Because we have seen multiple education bills where the main proponents are Koch-funded KPI and/or the Kansas Chamber, rather than ordinary Kansans, though those organizations are focused mainly on tax and business policy rather than education. The inclusion of the ALEC corporate tax credit scholarship provision in HB2506, despite the fact that bill never made it out of committee is a prime example. It was understood by many that HB2506 in its final form was being pushed by the Kansas Chamber. Here is the full text of Rep. Schwab’s email as it was forwarded to us.

From: “Rep. Scott Schwab” <schwab@scottschwab.com>
Date: June 12, 2014, 11:58:18 PM CDT
To: Scott Schwab <schwab@scottschwab.com>
Subject: KS Chamber PAC endorsements

Dear Kansas Chamber of Commerce Friends,

I know many of you, as I was, were shocked I failed to receive the KS Chamber PAC’s endorsement. Many of you have called and reached out to me, and I cannot express enough appreciation to you for that. Over the last few days, I have visited with both Christie Kriegshauser and Eric Stafford as to why I did not receive the endorsement when both acknowledged my rating above the needed 80% voting record. I have been over that threshold for 12 years straight.

Neither of them could give me specifics as to what I might have said or did that deserved it. Rather they just said my attitude was not right. My response was that without anything specific, no problems could be solved. Eric came all the way to Olathe to visit with me about it, but admitted he did not know what I had done or said. He claimed Mike Oneal knew what the issue was, but did not have time to call him the night before to share it with him. I found that odd as Mike had time to post comments on my Facebook wall about the KC Royals that same evening. Also, Christie has also been in contact with my opponent in the primary a few times, to which he has interpreted as support.

Through several conversations, I have gotten knowledge from a VERY credible source what the real problem is. To explain it, I have to back up to the 2013 legislative session.

I was assigned to the Energy committee after the 2012 election by Speaker Merrick. chairman Hedke early in the session said he wanted to adjust the state’s RPS. I had no idea what that was. He said it had to do with renewables and if I could support it. I shared with him I didn’t see a problem, but I would not commit until after the bill had hearings.

The day of the hearings, chairman Hedke changed usual procedure and had the opponents testify first. There were about 12 Kansas businesses asking us not to alter the law. When the time came for the proponents, there were two conferees from think tanks, and Charlotte O’Hara. This raised a concern with me. So I said, “I have noticed a trend with ALEC, NCSL, and other organizations that think tanks are taking over promoting ideas in industries and they don’t have a skin in the game. Where are the Kansas Businesses that want us to actually pass this bill?” James Taylor, from Heritage Foundation, lit into me for even asking the question. The gentleman from Boston acknowledged my point and said he was there just to present data. Mr. Taylor went on later to KCMO in Kanas City to call me out on the radio for raising Kansas households power bills.

After the meeting, Jonathan Small asked if I was supportive of the bill. I responded by asking who was pushing it, and he admitted it was Koch Industries. I told him if he wanted me to vote for the bill, then we needed some Kansas businesses to advocate it, because right now it looked as an anti-business vote. He told me at the time only Koch wanted the measure. I recommended that Koch testify then. Jon said if they did that, people would not like them. My response was that people don’t like them anyway, so just be honest.

I did support the bill coming out of committee that session. I also voted against sending the bill back to committee when the issue was on the floor. A few weeks later, at the annual ALEC reception in Topeka, I was confronted by both Mike Morgan and Mark Nichols. Mark took his business card, shoved it into my ribs on the left side and said from now on, if I wanted to talk to Jon Small, I needed to call him first for permission. Mike then aggressively let me know how horrible I was for not voting for the RPS bill (which I did vote for). I informed him it is hard to vote for a bill where Kanas businesses don’t want it passed, and only think tanks do. I needed the Kansas business community to say they really wanted this. He then said that I would vote to keep hookers working in Kansas if it meant no businesses ask for it. To which I said, “Are you equating your self to hookers?” Needless to say, Mike’s tone spiraled. He made mention of the number of companies Koch Industries owned. I let him know I was looking forward to hearing from them in committee. Jon Small and his wife then stepped in to prevent Mike’s aggression from escalating further. As I left, I said, “If this is how I am treated when I voted for the bill, well, you will get your money’s worth.” I have not voted for the bill since.

This conversation occurred in 2013, before the Kansas Chamber ever had a position on the RPS issue. However, this is the very conversation being used against me for a PAC endorsement. The denial of my endorsement, after 12 years of voting pro-business, is because of a personal conversation that occurred between Mike, Mark and myself. This is why the staff will not give specific answers as to what I said to lose the endorsement. If the board finds out their PAC dollars are being used as a tool of personal revenge of Mike Morgan and Mark Nichols, members will stop contributing. I have visited with other House members who also were surprisingly not endorsed, who had similar experiences to mine.

The implications of such decision making are too numerous to name here. However, the largest is the integrity of the organization. The personal interests of one are jeopardizing the good will of the Kansas Business community.

I apologize if I gave too much detail about the conversation, however, I believed it necessary to communicate the overall tone in which it occurred. I also appreciate the support you have shown me both personally and politically this week. Thank you much.

Rep. Scott Schwab
Kansas House Dist. 49
Kansas House of Representatives

Paid for Campaign to Elect Schwab
Debra Edler, Treasurer