Troy Findley
Encyclopedia
Troy Findley was the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas
. He was appointed by Governor Mark Parkinson on May 14, 2009 and took office the following day. Findley previously served as chief of staff to Governor Kathleen Sebelius
.
As lieutenant governor, Findley chaired both the Governor’s Energy Cabinet Team and the Governor’s Recovery Act Advisory Group. He was also a member of the Midwest Cancer Alliance Partner Advisory Board.
A native Kansan, Findley was raised and educated in Lawrence, Kansas
and graduated from the University of Kansas
in 1990. After college he worked in the grocery, retail, and banking industry before his election to the Kansas House of Representatives
in November 1994. Findley, a moderate, won election despite a nationwide loses for the Democratic Party, specifically in the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate.
. He was educated in the Lawrence Public Schools and attended Lawrence High School
.
Findley attended the University of Kansas
and graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He received his real estate license from the Kansas Association of Realtors in 1995.
Following college, Findley held a number of positions in Kansas politics and later worked at UMB Bank in Lawrence.
. He replaced retiring, longtime representative, Betty Jo Charlton, and was subsequently elected to five consecutive terms.
In the Kansas House, Findley led efforts to initiate early childhood education programs for at-risk four-year olds and to establish multi-year financing for public schools. Concerned with the rising cost of a college education, Findley also authored legislation to tie increases in tuition to increases in the state’s grant program.
Findley also co-sponsored legislation to create a Kansas version of the Earned Income Tax Credit
, similar to legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in 1975, which helps ease the burden of income taxes on low-income families.
During the 1999 budget debate, Findley voted for the 10-year transportation plan that is largely credited for Kansas’ recent number one ranking for having the nation’s best highways. In the same session, he crossed party lines to support republican Governor Bill Graves
’ budget, which included the creation of a Children's Trust Fund.
Findley was a member of the House Democratic Leadership Team serving as Policy Chair. His committee assignments included: Financial Institutions and Insurance; Economic Development; Ethics and Elections; Federal and State Affairs; and Taxation. He also served as Ranking Minority Member of the Congressional Redistricting Committee during the 2001-2002 Sessions.
He was elected to his fifth term in the Kansas House of Representatives on November 5, 2002 but declined to take the oath of office in order to work for Governor Sebelius as a Legislative Liaison in January 2003.
hired Findley as her Legislative Liaison to the Kansas House of Representatives.
While Findley served in this capacity, the Sebelius Administration shepherded through government austerity
and efficiency measurers that eliminated the state’s $1.1 billion deficit, without raising taxes.
.
In this capacity, Findley was responsible for policy development and implementation.
During the 2006 legislative session, the Sebelius Administration led efforts that resulted in the largest increase in K-12
education funding in state history.
Findley’s responsibilities also included serving as the Governor’s chief liaison on emergency management matters. In 2007, Kansas was impacted by a series of major weather-related disasters ranging from ice storms, to floods and tornadoes. On May 4, 2007, an F5 tornado devastated the town of Greensburg, Kansas
. Findley assisted in the state government’s response. With encouragement from the Sebelius Administration, the residents of Greensburg embarked on an effort to rebuild their town using renewable and efficient building methods.
as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson was sworn in as Kansas’ 45th Governor on the same day.
On May 14, 2009, Gov. Parkinson appointed Findley as the state’s 48th Lt. Governor. Parkinson cited Findley’s fitness for office and bipartisan record in his remarks at the swearing in ceremony.
In addition to those responsibilities, Findley chairs both the Governor’s Energy Cabinet Team and the Governor’s Recovery Act Advisory Group. He is also the Governor’s designee to the Midwest Cancer Alliance Partner Advisory Board.
During the 2010 legislative session, the Parkinson-Findley Administration led a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans on a successful effort to balance the budget without additional cuts to schools, Medicaid
, law enforcement and other social services.
In the same session, the Parkinson-Findley Administration spearheaded successful efforts to pass a 10-year, $8.4 billion comprehensive transportation plan.
Other significant legislation included passage of primary seatbelt law, a ban on texting while driving
, a statewide indoor smoking ban, and increased penalties for drunk drivers.
and energy efficiency
opportunities in Kansas. As chair of the Governor’s Energy Cabinet Team, Findley has actively supported efforts to build the transmission lines in western Kansas that will enable the region to generate and export renewable energy.
The Energy Cabinet Team's final report indicated positive growth in the renewable energy sector during the Parkinson/Findley Administration and encouraged the next administration to continue their pro-renewable energy policies.
Lieutenant Governor of Kansas
The Lieutenant Governor of Kansas is the lieutenant governor of the U.S. state of Kansas. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four-year term...
. He was appointed by Governor Mark Parkinson on May 14, 2009 and took office the following day. Findley previously served as chief of staff to Governor Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius is an American politician currently serving as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. She was the second female Governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, the Democratic respondent to the 2008 State of the Union address, and chair-emerita of the Democratic Governors...
.
As lieutenant governor, Findley chaired both the Governor’s Energy Cabinet Team and the Governor’s Recovery Act Advisory Group. He was also a member of the Midwest Cancer Alliance Partner Advisory Board.
A native Kansan, Findley was raised and educated in Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
and graduated from the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
in 1990. After college he worked in the grocery, retail, and banking industry before his election to the Kansas House of Representatives
Kansas House of Representatives
The Kansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kansas Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. State of Kansas. Composed of 125 state representatives from districts with roughly equal populations of at least 19,000, its members are responsible for crafting and voting on...
in November 1994. Findley, a moderate, won election despite a nationwide loses for the Democratic Party, specifically in the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate.
Education and early career
Findley was born on July 11, 1964 in Lawrence, KansasLawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
. He was educated in the Lawrence Public Schools and attended Lawrence High School
Lawrence High School (Kansas)
Lawrence High School is a fully accredited public high school located in Lawrence, Kansas, serving students in grades 9-12. The school is one of the two public high schools located in the city. Lawrence High enrolled 1,260 students in the 2007-2008 school year...
.
Findley attended the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
and graduated in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He received his real estate license from the Kansas Association of Realtors in 1995.
Following college, Findley held a number of positions in Kansas politics and later worked at UMB Bank in Lawrence.
State legislature
Findley was first elected to the Kansas House of Representatives on November 8, 1994 to represent District 46, which includes parts of Douglas CountyDouglas County
Douglas County is any of twelve counties in the United States, all of which are named for Stephen A. Douglas, a Senator from Illinois from 1847 to 1861 and the Democratic Party nominee for President in 1860:* Douglas County, Colorado* Douglas County, Georgia...
. He replaced retiring, longtime representative, Betty Jo Charlton, and was subsequently elected to five consecutive terms.
In the Kansas House, Findley led efforts to initiate early childhood education programs for at-risk four-year olds and to establish multi-year financing for public schools. Concerned with the rising cost of a college education, Findley also authored legislation to tie increases in tuition to increases in the state’s grant program.
Findley also co-sponsored legislation to create a Kansas version of the Earned Income Tax Credit
Earned income tax credit
The United States federal earned income tax credit or earned income credit is a refundable tax credit primarily for individuals and families who have low to moderate earned income. Greater tax credit is given to those who also have qualifying children...
, similar to legislation passed by the U.S. Congress in 1975, which helps ease the burden of income taxes on low-income families.
During the 1999 budget debate, Findley voted for the 10-year transportation plan that is largely credited for Kansas’ recent number one ranking for having the nation’s best highways. In the same session, he crossed party lines to support republican Governor Bill Graves
Bill Graves
William Preston "Bill" Graves , was the 43rd Governor of Kansas from 1995 until 2003.Graves was born in Salina, Kansas in 1953 to parents who owned a trucking firm...
’ budget, which included the creation of a Children's Trust Fund.
Findley was a member of the House Democratic Leadership Team serving as Policy Chair. His committee assignments included: Financial Institutions and Insurance; Economic Development; Ethics and Elections; Federal and State Affairs; and Taxation. He also served as Ranking Minority Member of the Congressional Redistricting Committee during the 2001-2002 Sessions.
He was elected to his fifth term in the Kansas House of Representatives on November 5, 2002 but declined to take the oath of office in order to work for Governor Sebelius as a Legislative Liaison in January 2003.
Legislative Liaison
Upon her ascension to the governorship, Kathleen SebeliusKathleen Sebelius
Kathleen Sebelius is an American politician currently serving as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. She was the second female Governor of Kansas from 2003 to 2009, the Democratic respondent to the 2008 State of the Union address, and chair-emerita of the Democratic Governors...
hired Findley as her Legislative Liaison to the Kansas House of Representatives.
While Findley served in this capacity, the Sebelius Administration shepherded through government austerity
Austerity
In economics, austerity is a policy of deficit-cutting, lower spending, and a reduction in the amount of benefits and public services provided. Austerity policies are often used by governments to reduce their deficit spending while sometimes coupled with increases in taxes to pay back creditors to...
and efficiency measurers that eliminated the state’s $1.1 billion deficit, without raising taxes.
Chief of Staff
On July 18, 2005 Governor Sebelius appointed Findley as her chief of staffChief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
.
In this capacity, Findley was responsible for policy development and implementation.
During the 2006 legislative session, the Sebelius Administration led efforts that resulted in the largest increase in K-12
K-12
K–12 is a designation for the sum of primary and secondary education. It is used in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where P–12 is also commonly used...
education funding in state history.
Findley’s responsibilities also included serving as the Governor’s chief liaison on emergency management matters. In 2007, Kansas was impacted by a series of major weather-related disasters ranging from ice storms, to floods and tornadoes. On May 4, 2007, an F5 tornado devastated the town of Greensburg, Kansas
Greensburg, Kansas
Greensburg is a city in and the county seat of Kiowa County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 777. Greensburg is also home to the world's largest hand-dug well....
. Findley assisted in the state government’s response. With encouragement from the Sebelius Administration, the residents of Greensburg embarked on an effort to rebuild their town using renewable and efficient building methods.
Appointment
On April 28, 2009 then-Governor Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed by the United States SenateUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson was sworn in as Kansas’ 45th Governor on the same day.
On May 14, 2009, Gov. Parkinson appointed Findley as the state’s 48th Lt. Governor. Parkinson cited Findley’s fitness for office and bipartisan record in his remarks at the swearing in ceremony.
Responsibilities
Findley’s responsibilities as Lt. Governor include serving as the senior strategic advisor to the Governor and, as prescribed by the Kansas Constitution, serving as Acting Governor when Parkinson is out of the state.In addition to those responsibilities, Findley chairs both the Governor’s Energy Cabinet Team and the Governor’s Recovery Act Advisory Group. He is also the Governor’s designee to the Midwest Cancer Alliance Partner Advisory Board.
2010 Legislative Session
In the first months of the Parkinson-Findley Administration, state revenues slipped significantly as the global economic downturn took a toll on the state's income tax returns. Because the Kansas Constitution requires a balanced budget, Governor Parkinson instituted over $1 billion in spending cuts using his allotment authority, more than any governor in Kansas history.During the 2010 legislative session, the Parkinson-Findley Administration led a bipartisan coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans on a successful effort to balance the budget without additional cuts to schools, Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
, law enforcement and other social services.
In the same session, the Parkinson-Findley Administration spearheaded successful efforts to pass a 10-year, $8.4 billion comprehensive transportation plan.
Other significant legislation included passage of primary seatbelt law, a ban on texting while driving
Texting while driving
Texting while driving is the act of composing, sending, reading text messages, email, or making other similar use of the web on a mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle. The practice has been viewed by many people and authorities as dangerous. It has also been ruled as the cause of some motor...
, a statewide indoor smoking ban, and increased penalties for drunk drivers.
Post Session
In the final months of the Parkinson-Findley Administration, Findley has focused on expanding renewable energyRenewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
and energy efficiency
Efficient energy use
Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal of efforts to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a home allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature...
opportunities in Kansas. As chair of the Governor’s Energy Cabinet Team, Findley has actively supported efforts to build the transmission lines in western Kansas that will enable the region to generate and export renewable energy.
The Energy Cabinet Team's final report indicated positive growth in the renewable energy sector during the Parkinson/Findley Administration and encouraged the next administration to continue their pro-renewable energy policies.
Organizations
- Chair, Governor's Energy Cabinet Team
- Governors Designee, Midwest Cancer Alliance Partner Advisory Board
- Lawrence Chamber of Commerce
- University of Kansas Alumni Association