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Kansas Liberty: 18 November 2008
Appointment removes one of the few Democratic moderates from a leadership post in the House
Sebelius names Dennis McKinney state treasurer
Tuesday morning, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius announced the appointment of House Democratic Leader Dennis McKinney, a Greensburg Democrat, as state treasurer.
McKinney, who had been mentioned as a possible replacement in previous reports, will be taking over for current treasurer Lynn Jenkins.
Jenkins, who defeated Second Congressional District Democrat incumbent Nancy Boyda, announced that she was leaving the treasurer position early so she could prepare for her first term as a U.S. Representative.
Jenkins is set to leave her position Jan. 2, though her term would not have expired until January 2011. Any challengers will have a chance to run for the treasurer position in 2010.
As treasurer, McKinney’s annual operating budget is $3.5 million. His office manages the programs of Bond Services, Cash Management, Unclaimed Property, the Housing Loan Deposit Program and the Kansas 529 Education Savings Program.
McKinney will also serve as a member on the Kansas Public Employee’s Retirement System as well as the Pooled Money Investment Board. He will remain as Sebelius’ key community contact with managing Greensburg redevelopment projects.
“In his 16 years in the House, Dennis not only served his constituents admirably, but the entire state of Kansas,” Sebelius said in her statement. “He holds a master’s degree in public finance/administration and has dealt with state budget issues first hand in the Legislature. He’s a strong leader who cares about the obstacles Kansans face and his perspective will be very beneficial as we navigate through this time of financial adversity.”
McKinney is a popular moderate Democrat who came to national prominence for his leadership role in the wake of the May 2007 Greensburg tornado. A Greensburg resident, McKinney sheltered his daughter from the storm as his house was destroyed above him, then emerged to help lead early efforts to rescue his neighbors.
His pro-life voting record often put him at odds with Sebelius' pro-abortion policies.
- Holly Smith
Sebelius names Dan Biles to the state Supreme Court
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