Public Policy
Kansas City Is Replacing Its M/WBE Program – What You Need to Know
Kansas City Is Replacing Its M/WBE Program – What You Need to Know On August 13, 2026, in response to a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, the Kansas City Council repealed the city’s Minority and Women Business Enterprise program and adopted an interim small business program in its place. A permanent replacement…
Read MoreMissouri’s New Cash-Rounding Law: What Businesses Need to Know Before August 28
Missouri’s New Cash-Rounding Law: What Businesses Need to Know Before August 28 Missouri’s Department of Revenue recently issued guidance on House Bill 2819, which allows vendors to round cash transaction totals to the nearest five cents starting August 28, 2026. A Letter From the Missouri Department of Revenue: The Department of Revenue (DOR) is issuing…
Read MoreStrengthening Connections Between Kansas City and LGBTQ+ Small Businesses
Strengthening Connections Between Kansas City and LGBTQ+ Small Businesses The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Chamber members to Spotlight for a Small Business Roundtable with Kansas City, Missouri Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw. The conversation brought together LGBTQ+ business owners and entrepreneurs for an open discussion about the opportunities and challenges facing small…
Read MoreYour August 4 Ballot, Explained in Plain Language
Your August 4 Ballot, Explained in Plain Language Election Day is August 4, and voters across Missouri, Kansas, and Kansas City will have several important questions on the ballot. Missouri voters will decide four constitutional amendments. Kansas voters will weigh in on one constitutional amendment. Kansas City voters will also see five local ballot questions…
Read MorePride 2026 Recap: Celebrating Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ & Allied Business Community
Pride 2026 Recap: Celebrating Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ & Allied Business Community As Pride Month comes to a close, we’re reflecting on everything we had the privilege to celebrate with our incredible community. This Pride season, we honored the businesses, leaders, and advocates strengthening our region at the 2026 Business Pride Awards. We proudly marched in…
Read MoreHonoring Governor Laura Kelly as Government Official of the Year
Honoring Governor Laura Kelly as Government Official of the Year At the 2026 Business Pride Awards, the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce was proud to recognize Kansas Governor Laura Kelly as our Government Official of the Year. Although she was unable to attend the ceremony, we were honored to present the award to her in…
Read MoreEffective Influence Starts with Getting Informed
Effective Influence Starts with Getting Informed In recent years, there has been historic progress for the LGBTQ+ community. And while we would love to rest and bask in those successes, recent legislative trends have shown threats still remain. From healthcare discrimination, erosion of parental rights, and limits on access to gender-affirming care, now is the…
Read MoreComments on the 2024 Missouri and Kansas Legislative Sessions
Comments on the 2024 Missouri and Kansas Legislative Sessions The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce stands in opposition of all anti-LGBTQ legislation proposed in the 2024 Kansas and Missouri Legislative sessions. We believe this legislation, including proposals limiting the rights of our trans neighbors and colleagues, is discriminatory, creates economic instability, and negatively impacts the…
Read MoreThe Respect for Marriage Act is Law
The Respect for Marriage Act is Law As the leading organization representing LGBTQ+ businesses and employees in Kansas City and surrounding areas, the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce applauds members of Congress and President Biden for passing the Respect for Marriage Act. This landmark legislation will reassure the more than 568,000 married same-sex couples that…
Read MoreACTION ALERT: KANSAS SB484 Attacks Transgender Youth in Sports
ACTION ALERT: KANSAS SB484 Attacks Transgender Youth in Sports The Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce asks members and member representatives to reach out to local representatives of the Kansas Senate and the Committee on Education to provide opposition testimony for Senate Bill #484, which attacks the rights of transgender athletes in public elementary, secondary, or…
Read More