Kansas Gov. Brownback delegates budget planning, Cabinet pick to Lt. Gov. Colyer

Gov. Sam Brownback’s plodding exit from Kansas politics led Tuesday to disclosure of Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer’s assumption of a prominent role in developing new state government budget recommendations and in selection of a new Cabinet secretary to manage social programs.

Colyer cannot be sworn in as governor until Brownback is affirmed by the U.S. Senate to a job in the administration of President Donald Trump, but informal transfer of power reflects a desire to raise Colyer’s profile in anticipation of replacing Brownback before the end of the year. It also could bolster Colyer’s candidacy for the 2018 Republican nomination for governor.

Brownback requested Colyer take the lead in formulating the budget proposal to be submitted in January to the 2018 Legislature, said Colyer spokesman Kendall Marr.

“Gov. Brownback determined that it would be appropriate for the lieutenant governor to handle the budget to ensure a smooth transition,” Marr said.

Read more: http://cjonline.com/news/state-government/local/2017-11-21/kansas-gov-brownback-delegates-budget-planning-cabinet-pick