Blog: Thank You, Lieutenant Governor Troy Findley

Statement

One of the first decisions I made as Governor was to select Troy Findley as our Lieutenant Governor. It has proven to be one of my best decisions.

Lieutenant Governors are famously underestimated and unknown. I spent a little over two years as one myself. I learned firsthand that very few people know who the Lieutenant Governor is and even fewer care. But I also learned that when Lieutenant Governors have a great relationship with their boss and are willing to work very hard, they can have a huge impact.

Troy has consistently exceeded the high expectations I had for him. In doing so, he has made a major impact on Kansas' future. While I was Lt. Governor, my primary assignment was Kansas energy policy. When I became Governor, I no longer had the luxury to focus on one policy area, so I turned the energy portfolio over to Troy. Under his leadership, Kansas is poised to become a national leader in wind energy. We have tripled the amount of megawatts generated from wind farms and three wind component manufacturers have moved here. And the momentum continues with numerous announcements that will further grow Kansas' wind generating capacity.

Most importantly in energy policy though, Troy has played a key role in guiding the development of two major transmission lines in western Kansas. These lines, which will be constructed over the next couple of years, are critical to transmit the benefits of wind energy to eastern Kansas and beyond. The lines will improve reliability and lower costs for customers, accelerate our wind energy progress and enhance our economic development opportunities.

In addition to our Lt. Governor, my Chief of Staff Rae Anne Davis and the Director of Government Affairs John Polzar, have advised me on every policy initiative. While I get more than my fair share of credit for the state's successes, none of it would have happened without these three people and their sound advice. Under the guidance of these three trusted advisors, we have been able to:

* Balance the Kansas budget and actually have a surplus;
* Gain notoriety as a top 10 state for business in seven different national rankings;
* Pass a comprehensive transportation plan that will bring economic prosperity for many years;
* Win the national bid to have the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Kansas;
* Win battle after battle to retain and bring jobs to Kansas;
* Make Kansans safer and healthier with our ban on smoking in public places;
* Reinvigorate the Board of Regents' focus on strategic planning for academic excellence; and
* Position Kansas as a leader in renewable energy.

I get the credit, but it has been a team effort. Thanks team.

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