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Karin Brownlee
Karin Brownlee served as Kansas Secretary of Labor from February 2011[1] until September 2012, when Governor Sam Brownback ordered her to step down for undisclosed reasons. The secretary of labor serves at the pleasure of the governor and is not subject to reappointment or term limits.[2] Brownback named former state Rep. Lana Gordon interim-secretary.
Brownlee was a Republican member of the Kansas State Senate, representing the 23rd District from 1997 to 2011. She was the Assistant Majority Leader before her appointment to the position of Secretary of Labor. She was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1996 and was the vice-chair of the Johnson County Republican Party from 1994 to 1996. She was also involved in the Kansas Republican Party State Committee from 1993 to 1996 and was chair of the Olathe Republican Party from 1992 to 1994.
Political career
Secretary of Labor (2011-2012)
Brownlee was appointed labor secretary by the governor in 2010, and took office in February of 2012. She served until September 20, 2012, when Brownback ordered her to step down for undisclosed reasons. The secretary of labor serves at the pleasure of the governor and is not subject to reappointment or term limits.[2] Brownback named Lana Gordon the interim secretary of the department same day he ousted Karin Brownlee from the position. Gordon is a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives.[2]
State Senate (1997-2011)
Committee assignments
During her last term in the Kansas State Senate, Brownlee served on the following legislative committees:[3]
- Commerce (Chair)
- Joint Committee on Economic Development (Chair)
- Financial Institutions and Insurance (Vice Chair)
- Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations
- Assessment and Taxation
- Business & Labor
- Confirmation Oversight
- Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight
- Utilities
Issues
Sen. Brownlee's positions on the issues, according to her website:[4]
- Against partial and late-term abortions, the sale of fetal tissue
- Against euthanasia
- Against gambling
- Supports small businesses
- Supported concealed carry gun law
- Supports charter schools and "home rule" legislation which would allow school districts more decision-making freedom
- Supports simplified access to health care
- Supports greater restrictions on internet-related crime
- Lower property taxes
- Supports the creation of new highways and increasing the time before teens can get their full driver's license
See also: Karin Brownlee issue positions from Project Vote Smart
Legislation
Legislation sponsored or co-sponsored by Sen. Brownlee included:[5][6]
- An act regarding property taxation and appraisal of property[7]
- A bill regarding appropriations for a transportation project[8]
Fiscal Responsibility
On May 11, 2010 Senator Brownlee made an "official" protest when a budget bill was passed without sufficient funding[9]:
"We have failed in our fiduciary responsibility to be good stewards of the people’s money … I am disheartened for Kansas because we have slowed the economic recovery which is so desperately needed."
Elections/Appointments
2010
In December 2010, Brownlee was appointed Kansas Secretary of Labor by Gov. Sam Brownback (R). She officially started her term February 3, 2011.[10]
2008
On November 4, 2008, Brownlee was re-elected to the 23rd District Seat in the Kansas State Senate, defeating Bill Jackson (D).[11] Brownlee raised $77,251 for her campaign, while Jackson raised $730.[12]
| Kansas State Senate, District 23 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Karin Brownlee Incumbent |
66.7% | 25,475 | |
| Democratic | Bill Jackson | 33.3% | 12,706 | |
| Total Votes | 38,181 | |||
Campaign finance summary
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See also
External links
- Official Website (dead link)
- Sen. Brownlee's Personal website
- Kansas State Senate Website
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Project Vote Smart Legislative Profile
- Campaign Contributions: 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008
- Sen. Brownlee on State Surge
Footnotes
- ↑ Kansas Legislature, "Appointment: Secretary, Department of Labor, Karin Brownlee," accessed August 4, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedoust - ↑ Kansas Senate profile
- ↑ Karin Brownlee issues
- ↑ Sen. Brownlee on State Surge
- ↑ Legislative accomplishments
- ↑ SB 197 (dead link)
- ↑ SB 613
- ↑ Senator Brownlee’s official protest of budget bill
- ↑ "Colyer on transition; Olson elected to Kansas Senate," Kansas Watchdog, December 21, 2010
- ↑ Kansas Secretary of State, "2008 General Election - Official Vote Totals," accessed March 29, 2014
- ↑ District 23 Follow the Money, "Kansas 2008 - General Election Results," accessed March 29, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Kansas Secretary of Labor 2011-September 20, 2012 |
Succeeded by Lana Gordon |
| Preceded by - |
Kansas Senate District 23 1997–2011 |
Succeeded by Rob Olson |
| ||||||||||||||
