Emporia Senator Jeff Longbine tells KVOE News he turned down a higher-ranking committee chairmanship before assignments for the upcoming legislative session were solidified earlier this week.
Longbine, the Senate Vice President, tells KVOE News that Wagle offered him the chair of the Assessment and Taxation Committee, and he says that would have been a promotion had he accepted it. Longbine said changes were “unnecessary, unwarranted, divisive and disruptive” to the party caucus. He also didn’t want to take a chair away from a fellow Republican.
Longbine chaired the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee during this year’s legislative session. It now will be chaired by Olathe Republican Rob Olson.
Longbine also dismissed a question about whether Wagle’s actions undermine his overall leadership status in the chamber. He says this will free him up to do other important work in the Senate.
Senate President Susan Wagle announced committee assignments this week without further explanation to the media.
Noon Thursday: Longbine no longer chairing Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
Emporia Senator Jeff Longbine is still the Senate Vice President, but he is no longer chair of the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.
Senate President Susan Wagle announced committee assignments this week. Wagle did not explain her decision.
Longbine says Wagle approached him last week with a proposal to shuffle some committee chair positions. He felt it was “unnecessary, unwarranted and divisive within the Republican caucus,” and he believes it was done to solidify Wagle’s position before her term ends in 2020.
Wagle offered Longbine the chair of the Assessment and Taxation Committee, but he refused.
Longbine dismissed a question about whether Wagle’s actions undermine his overall leadership status in the chamber.
Senate Democrats have chimed in, however, saying Wagle and Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning wanted to thwart a potential Longbine run for Senate President when Wagle’s term ends in 2020. Longbine has clashed with Wagle and other Senate conservatives on several policy points the past few years, including school finance, tax policy and Medicaid expansion, but he says it’s far too soon for him to consider a run for the post. Instead, he’s concentrating on foster care, education, mental health and transportation needs for the upcoming session starting in January.
Longbine chaired the committee during this year’s legislative session. It now will be chaired by Olathe Republican Rob Olson.
This isn’t the first time this year Wagle has stripped a fellow Republican of a leadership position in the chamber. Mission Hills Senator Barbara Bollier had her vice chair seat removed on the Senate Health Committee after endorsing Democrat Laura Kelly for governor. Wagle said the Republican caucus respects differing opinions, but “it is unacceptable to betray members of your own party by publicly endorsing leftist Democrats.”
