Topeka — Gov.-elect Sam Brownback on Thursday tapped a veteran group to help with the change of administrations during the next two months.
“Their varied expertise, involvements and experiences in government, including members of the last two Republican transition teams, will ensure a smooth transition,” said Brownback, a Republican.
Brownback also named David Kensinger as his chief of staff. Kensinger managed Brownback’s gubernatorial campaign and has worked for him and other Republican Party officials for many years.
Brownback, a U.S. senator, also said he would not resign early from his Senate seat which will next be filled by U.S. Sen.-elect Jerry Moran, a Republican.
Kenny Wilk, a Republican who had represented Lansing when he was in the Kansas House, was named the chairman of the transition team.
“I feel very fortunate to have this eclectic and talented transition team,” Wilk said. While in the Legislature, Wilk chaired the House tax and budget committees and was instrumental in adoption of several economic development initiatives.
The transition team will be focused on helping prepare a state budget, legislative initiatives, cabinet and other high-level appointments and the inaugural.
When legislators start the 2011 legislative session, they will face an estimated $500 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that starts July 1, 2011. Tax revenues are starting to increase after a historic downturn that spanned three years. Even so, the budget will lose hundreds of millions in federal funds that are expiring under the stimulus law.
Brownback campaigned on improving the state economy and said that focus would continue through the transition process.
The transition team also includes Wyandotte County Republican Party Chair Chiquita Coggs; state Sen. Jay Emler, R-Lindsborg; former House Speaker Kent Glasscock of Manhattan; former state Sen. Nick Jordan of Shawnee; state Rep. Lance Kinzer, R-Olathe; former Garden City mayor Dennis Mesa; former House Speaker chief of staff Sue Peterson; and Wichita City Councilwoman Sue Schlapp.
Brownback defeated state Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, in the governor’s race. Gov. Mark Parkinson, a Democrat, decided not to seek election.
Lt. Gov.-elect Jeff Colyer said the incoming administration is looking for candidates for numerous positions and ideas about streamlining government. The transition office's phone number is 785-296-3700 and its e-mail address is transition.team@ks.gov.
Comments
Bob_Keeshan 3 years, 5 months ago
Interesting that the only work of David Kensinger being mentioned is his campaign work.
Kensinger has also been a registered lobbyist for many years.
Always good to have a lobbyist running the state...
lounger 3 years, 5 months ago
Scary times ahead with Scary Sammy manning the boat....
DeckDoctors 3 years, 5 months ago
Congratulations Governor Elect Brownback!! Now some sanity can be restored to Topeka and Kansas! Now that Kathleen 'the Hammer' Sebelius is off beating down Free Market Insurance companies so she and Obama can continue their attempt to socialize the US healthcare system, we have some common sense restored to Kansas.
Richard Heckler 3 years, 5 months ago
Kansas is in real trouble...
Dwight Eisenhower was last Republican President to preside over a balanced budget. He had a balanced budget in 1956 and 1957. President Eisenhower also warned us about the military industrial complex that is now eating about 60% of every tax dollar.
Since then, there have been two presidents to preside over balanced budgets, LBJ in 1969 and Clinton in 1998 through 2001.
During the last 40 years there have been five budget surpluses, all five were under Democratic Presidents: 1969, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.
bobberboy 3 years, 5 months ago
i thought for sure he would go with the 3 stooges.
sad_lawrencian 3 years, 5 months ago
Anyone getting ready to move out of Kansas because Brownback got elected? I've been thinking about moving to Missouri anyway; this could be just what I need to get the move kick-started.
timetospeakup 3 years, 5 months ago
start by removing this obstacle to efficient government
http://www.ktka.com/news/2007/oct/05/...
This creep has no business as an HR director.
macon47 3 years, 5 months ago
ALL HE NEEDS TO DO IS ASK THE LAWERENCE VOTERS TO APPROVE A TAX INCREASE, AND THEY WILL ALL VOTE FOR AND APPROVE IT JUST LIKE THEY DID THE MT BUSES, AND THE BOOK BARN
Liberty275 3 years, 5 months ago
I welcome our new imaginary-god-sent overlord. Imaginary-god is less sickening to this affirmed atheist/nihilist than the lowest-common-denominator marxist oppression the left-wing has puked across America and Kansas over the last two years.
God is a joke to be laughed off, the erosion of personal property rights and liberty isn't.
hail2oldku 3 years, 5 months ago
"The governor-elect says he is not likely to resign his U.S. Senate seat early."
So there will be a Senator Tiarht after all.
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