Governor-Elect Brownback Names Economic Growth Team

Governor-Elect Sam Brownback introduced today cabinet nominees and budget director who will lead his Economic Growth Team during a news conference at the Kansas Statehouse.

“Our Economic Growth Team is heavy on experience and offers fresh perspectives on the challenges that we face,” Gov.-Elect Brownback said. “They bring to state government a blend of private and public sector experience that will produce results. You will recognize a few of the faces, but a couple may be new to you. This team brings together eastern and western Kansas; private and public sector backgrounds; and all ranges of the political spectrum.”

The Economic Growth Team members announced today are:

* State Sen. Karin Brownlee as Kansas Secretary of Labor

* State Rep. Pat George as Kansas Secretary of Commerce

* Former State Sen. Nick Jordan as Kansas Secretary of Revenue

* Secretary Deb Miller as Kansas Secretary of Transportation

* Dale Rodman as Kansas Secretary of Agriculture

* Steve Anderson as Governor’s Budget Director

The governor-elect said his administration’s policies will acknowledge the industries that have helped make Kansas great-industries such as aviation, agriculture, transportation, and energy development – while pursuing development in the state’s high growth industries such as the biosciences, technology, and services. He said they will not forget that more than 80% of Kansans are employed by small businesses that make our state tick. He pledged their policies will be fair to all; focus on wealth creation; and attempt to recognize the value of both large and small enterprises.

Brownback acknowledged serving in his cabinet during the next few years won’t be easy for the nominees.

“Our state budget faces a nearly half-billion dollar deficit. We are going to need to make some very difficult decisions. But know those decisions will be well thought out and made together, and I thank them for their willingness to serve their state in this critical time,” Brownback said.

Before opening the news conference to questions from the media, Brownback reiterated he viewed his Economic Growth Team as a team, saying Kansans expect nothing less of their government leaders.

“No one position is more important than the others, and we won’t achieve our goals without cooperation. You can’t have growing commercial industrial or agricultural enterprises without the proper labor markets, tax structure, and transportation systems,” Brownback said. “And all of these things can’t work if we don’t control government spending. I look forward to being in the trenches during the next months and years with each of these folks as we focus on growing on our economy and get our people back to work.”

Brownback’s cabinet secretary nominees must be confirmed by the Kansas Senate when the Kansas Legislatures convenes in January.