High-level Experience and New Talent Join Kansas Think Tank
Former state budget director Steve Anderson joins Kansas Policy Institute
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September 6, 2013 - Wichita - After opening a new office in Overland Park earlier this year, Kansas Policy Institute's reputation and reach continue to grow as Steve Anderson officially joined their list of scholars today as a senior adjunct fiscal policy fellow. Anderson brings experience with state fiscal policy from his time in the administration of Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating and most recently with a three year stint serving as Kansas' budget director. KPI also welcomed Patrick Parkes to the team as a fiscal policy analyst; Patrick is a recent Masters graduate from the University of Illinois and will work out of KPI's Overland Park office.
"Attracting talent and experience with individuals like Steve and Patrick will only allow us to deepen our research and analysis on the questions facing Kansas," said KPI president Dave Trabert. "We have a great team in place and are constantly fielding requests from citizens and policy makers for our take on the issues of the day - Steve and Patrick make us more effective as we fight to return power to individual Kansans and ensure their personal and economic freedom."
Steve Anderson will serve in a part time consulting role focusing primarily on fiscal policy and government operations. Anderson's also previously worked with KPI on fiscal policy issues; authoring the 2009 publication of "Analysis of State Unencumbered Fund Balances in Kansas."
Trabert continued, "It is great to have Steve coming home again to help us show how tax reform can be implemented by reducing the cost of government services. His experience as a CPA and time in government make him uniquely qualified to find fiscally responsible solutions in government."
Anderson welcomed the opportunity to join KPI's team by saying, "It is a privilege to be given the opportunity to continue helping my beloved home state once again be a guiding light to the rest of the country. Joining the team led by Dave Trabert is a great personal honor and no Kansas organization is better at helping citizens and legislators make informed decisions. I hope to be able to help KPI continue their mission to achieve full transparency of state government for the citizens of Kansas."
Patrick Parkes is responsible for KPI's transparency portal, KansasOpenGov.Org, and researching tax and fiscal policy in the Sunflower State. A native of Michigan, he will bring fresh eyes to the many challenges and opportunities facing Kansas. Parkes' Masters thesis focused on higher education spending in Illinois and is timely given the current debate in Kansas. He replaces Todd Davidson, who recently accepted a policy position with State Policy Network.
Trabert concluded with, "Steve's experience and Patrick's new talents are great additions to Kansas Policy Institute. Our fiscal policy team is ready to tackle issues from a looming school finance crisis, the $15 billion real KPERS hole to continuing to reduce taxes for all Kansans - all of which can be accomplished without sacrificing government service or core functions."
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Kansas Policy Institute is an independent think-tank that advocates for free market solutions and the protection of personal freedom for all Kansans. Our work centers on state and local economic policy with primary emphasis on education, fiscal policy and health care. We empower citizens, legislators and other government officials with objective research and creative ideas to promote a low-tax, pro-growth environment that preserves the ability of governments to provide high quality services. To speak with Kansas Policy Institute, please contact James Franko at (316) 634-0218.
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