Kansas City is considering a Responsible Contractor Ordinance that could block many ABC members from public projects. Use our sample letter to urge the Council to oppose rigid mandates that limit competition, raise costs, and exclude qualified contractors.

Strengthen the Workforce Without Overregulating It 

Kansas City wants to grow a strong, skilled construction workforce—and we agree. But that doesn’t require rigid, one-size-fits-all policy structures, like forcing all bidders to utilize apprenticeship programs to train their team. Last year, fewer than 30,000 individuals graduated from construction apprenticeship programs nationwide. That number is not enough to meet national demand, let alone local needs. 

A more careful and inclusive policy will enable a wider range of training models and workforce development approaches while still ensuring safety, reliability, and public accountability.  

Instead of building the workforce, the policy tied to prior graduation requirements stifles growth. It discourages new DOL-registered programs that could expand training capacity and help meet workforce needs. The U.S. Department of Labor already provides oversight, quality standards, and audits to ensure training programs meet federal requirements. Let’s support growth and accountability—not limit participation.  

Keep Projects on Track and On Budget 

Even under existing policies, Kansas City has seen as few as two contractors bid on public projects. 

A reduced pool of qualified contractors leads to higher project costs, delayed timelines, and missed opportunities to advance community goals.  

Protect Taxpayer Value and Return 

When city policy over-restricts the number of contractors who are eligible to bid, it reduces competitive pressure. That often means higher costs to complete public work, fewer checks on quality, and limited ability to choose the right partner for the job. Kansas Citians deserve strong public projects delivered at the best possible value—and that requires broad access and fair competition.  

Support Growing and Emerging Businesses 

Some of the most promising and community-rooted construction firms are small or growing businesses that haven’t yet scaled into rigid program models. Overly prescriptive rules can shut out capable businesses that are ready to contribute. A more flexible approach keeps the door open for local entrepreneurs and expands opportunities within our community.  

Avoid Unintended Consequences 

Every piece of this policy should serve the broader public interest, not limit it. When regulations are too narrow or overly technical, they may disqualify fully compliant contractors who meet legal, safety, and workforce standards, not because of performance but because of how narrowly the ordinance defines “responsible.” That hurts workforce development, delays city goals, and ultimately reduces the city’s ability to invest equitably across its neighborhoods. 

Recognize the Legal Role of Independent Contractors and Leased Employees 

Independent contractors and leased employees are a lawful and essential part of how the construction industry operates today. These roles allow contractors to scale labor for large and fast-moving projects, especially when permanent staffing isn’t feasible. 

The proposed ordinance would prohibit these workforce models entirely, even though federal and state labor laws already govern how they must be used and protect against misclassification.  

Blanket bans on legal workforce classifications would remove tools that businesses rely on to meet project demands, deepen the labor shortage, and raise costs. 

Ensure Clarity in Licensing Standards 

If licensing requirements are included in the ordinance, they must be clearly defined and consistent with existing state and federal law. The current language risks confusion by not specifying what level of licensing or registration is appropriate for each trade. This could result in the disqualification of otherwise qualified and compliant contractors due to unclear or overly broad interpretations. 

We recommend language that avoids ambiguity and ensures consistent implementation, while recognizing the differences in credentialing requirements across trades.