HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas’ new governor, Dr. Jeff Colyer, was in town Saturday where he visited with a good crowd at Allie’s Deli in Downtown Hutchinson about his plans for the state.
He earlier announced a number of personnel changes for the senior staff of cabinet and sub-cabinet agencies. Colyer also announced several changes to his governor’s office staff.
He told the gathering that there will be other changes as well. He told Hutch Post that he will bring a new level of energy as governor and wants to focus on growing the state and bringing jobs, which would be welcomed by many, including residents of Hutchinson.
He has been touring the state with stops in Salina, McPherson, Hutchinson and Garden City.
As for moving into the Governor’s Mansion, he admits that hasn’t happened yet, saying he hasn’t had time to even pack. He says he and his wife may share their time between the mansion and his current house, at least in the short-term.
Although he says more changes in his administration and cabinet may be coming, some changes have been made already. Larry Campbell, an Olathe Rep. for District 26, joined the Budget Office as Chief Budget Officer. The position will allow his office to increase its focus on performance-based budgeting. Campbell’s position as K-12 budget chair will be an asset to the Colyer Administration as it works with the legislature to find a workable solution to the education funding issue that will take center stage this session. He said Saturday that he wants to see results for the dollars spent and improving graduation rates.
Shawn Sullivan, who had served as Budget Director, has been named Chief Operating Officer, where he will handle complex issues that touch multiple agencies, such as Medicaid eligibility. Colyer said Saturday that he wants to run things like a business. He added that he also wants to end the bickering and divisiveness in Topeka, unlike what we see with the partisan attacks and bickering by both sides in Washington. He says we can disagree, but says the two sides can be civil with each other while doing it.
Other changes to his cabinet include the departure of Phil Whitmer, who is leaving the Office of Information Technology, and Donna Shelite, who will step in as Interim Chief Information Technology Officer.
Colyer wants to address a joint session of the legislature this coming week, possibly Wednesday. Full details have not been released, but could include an online stream. Details will be made available upon the official announcement.
