Brownback gives up governor’s biggest job: Planning how to spend your tax dollars

Nov. 21--TOPEKA -- Sam Brownback still holds the title of governor, but Jeff Colyer runs more and more of the show.

The answer to who is really running Kansas government affects everything from how your tax dollars will be spent to what services are prioritized.

Colyer, the lieutenant governor, is creating a budget detailing how the state should spend billions of tax dollars -- a task traditionally performed by the governor. And on Wednesday, Colyer will name a new leader of the Department for Children and Families, which oversees welfare programs used by thousands of Kansans.

"It's technically Sam Brownback but Jeff Colyer is going around the state acting as governor," said Bob Beatty, a political scientist at Washburn University.

Colyer's budget proposal may prioritize different programs and agencies than Brownback, potentially affecting government services. The lieutenant governor has emphasized KanCare -- which provides healthcare for low income Kansans and those with disabilities, high-speed internet for people living in rural areas -- and suggested he will take steps to improve government transparency.

Since Brownback was nominated by President Donald Trump in July to be ambassador at large for international religious freedom, Colyer has largely refused to discuss specifics. Brownback didn't give much insight either when he spoke with reporters on Tuesday.

"He's putting those things together," Brownback said of Colyer and the budget.

The budget proposal is one of the governor's most important tasks and provides an outline for lawmakers as they set spending levels.

Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka, said as long as Brownback remains governor, he should fulfill the duties of the job.

"I think it's inappropriate. Browback is still governor. He's still getting paid to be governor. He still has residence at Cedar Crest," Kelly said, referring to the governor's mansion.

Sen. Carolyn McGinn, a Sedgwick Republican, heads the Senate's budget committee. "We don't have a lot of money to do a lot of things with, so the budget will continue to be tight. My hope is, philosophically, that he would focus more on KanCare and making sure we're meeting the needs of those families," she said.

"I'm also looking for a few new and different initiatives. Something different than what we've been doing the last six years that has not been progressive for our state."

McGinn said she hopes Colyer will detail how he plans to provide funding for possible future transportation projects, emphasize social services and address pay levels for state workers, saying Kansas is losing too many.

KanCare represents a possible budget emphasis for Colyer. He spearheaded the creation of the program in 2013.

The program, which serves more than 400,000 Kansans, has been marked by problems since its rollout, including complaints of poor service and a federal investigation that found inadequate oversight. Colyer and other program supporters contend it has provided better care at lower costs.

In a potential preview of Colyer's budget, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services has requested more than $80 million next year to clear a years-long waiting for list for services for individuals with disabilities. It is the first time the agency has requested such an amount to clear the whole list.

At the Department for Children and Families, Colyer's choice will have to win over lawmakers skeptical of the previous secretary, Phyllis Gilmore. A task force digging into the child welfare system has been shocked to learn of missing foster children and foster children forced to sleep in offices because homes could not be found.

Colyer's pick show what kind of approach he wants to bring to the agency and indicate how he plans to address concerns about foster care.

Colyer has promised to bring a new tone to the governor's office and listen more to Kansans. Yet he and his staff have consistently declined to provide details when pressed repeatedly over the past several months.

"Lt. Governor Colyer is prepared to take the helm in Kansas whenever Gov. Brownback is confirmed," spokeswoman Kara Fullmer said in October.

Trump nominated Brownback to be ambassador in July. But a slow moving Senate and Democratic opposition have slowed the confirmation process. A Senate committee advanced Brownback on a party-line vote; the nomination awaits a floor vote.

Brownback said there's a good chance he will be confirmed before the legislative session begins in early January. He said he met last week with Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"I think we've got a good prospect of getting up for a vote, and if I can get up for a vote, a good prospect of passing," Brownback said.

Brownback acknowledged the process has taken longer than he initially thought but appeared optimistic about action in December.

"I would hope here sometime before the Senate goes on Christmas break," Brownback said.

Beatty said Kansas has never before been in a similar situation. Traditionally, Kansas governors have served out all or nearly all of their terms.

When Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was waiting for confirmation as Health and Human Services secretary, she made it clear she remained governor up until she was confirmed and would continue as governor if she wasn't, Beatty said.

"There's one governor," Beatty said, "and I think Kansans need to know who it is."

Jonathan Shorman: 785-296-3006, @jonshorman

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