After absences criticized, Jenkins makes KPERS meeting

? After missing three meetings, State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins made a meeting today of the state pension fund board of trustees.

Jenkins, a Republican, is running for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

And Democrats have criticized her for missing meetings of the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System board.

Jenkins has missed 12 of the 47 meetings the KPERS board has had since she became treasurer in 2003.

She missed meetings in July, August and September. During that time, financial turmoil caused the value of KPERS assets to drop by nearly $1.1 billion.

Jenkins has said she kept up with KPERS business by e-mail.

Asked if Democrats had goaded her into attending, she said no.