Rep. Wilk named BIO Legislator of Year

His brainchild expected to pump estimated $580 million into life science industry

Patrick Kelly, who helps bolster life science efforts in communities across the country, has a prediction: The legislation Kansas used to spark its biotechnology industry will be mimicked in other states.

“I’m sure we haven’t seen the last of it across the country,” said Kelly, who is vice president of state and government relations for the Biotechnology Industry Organization. “It truly is a best practice.”

Kelly was in Lawrence on Monday to present state Rep. Kenny Wilk with the BIO Legislator of the Year award. The award was presented during an event at the Dole Institute of Politics at Kansas University.

The Kansas Economic Growth Act, approved in 2004, was the brainchild of Wilk, a Lansing Republican. It is expected to pump an estimated $580 million into the Kansas life science industry by reinvesting tax growth from biotechnology firms back into the field by supporting business attraction, business growth and university research.

“We work all over the country, and it is safe to say this is a comprehensive act,” Kelly said. “It’s got one of the most innovating funding mechanisms we’ve seen across the country.”

Wilk said many colleagues, including Sen. Nick Jordan, R-Olathe, also deserved credit for the legislation.

“There are so many thank-yous to share,” Wilk said. “I prefer to look at the honor as an honor for the state of Kansas. It’s great positive exposure for the state of Kansas.”

Wilk said the act would allow Kansas to prepare for the 21st century. He said the state didn’t position itself well to take advantage of the computer technology revolution the past few decades.

“I think KEGA can and will make a significant difference,” he said. “We want to move Kansas into the new economy.”

The Kansas Bioscience Authority, which is charged with allocating funds generated by the act, met for the third time Monday, also at the Dole Institute.

Dan Richardson, chairman of KansasBio, a subsidiary of the national BIO group, said it would be up to the authority board and many others to ensure the act’s success.

“It’s not going to just rest on one individual’s shoulders,” Richardson said. “It’s going to take everybody.”