Governor announces transportation task force
- Task force to craft new strategic approach to best position Kansas for the futur

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

August 14, 2008

Today, Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced the creation of a task force charged with crafting a new strategic transportation approach that positions Kansas for the future.

“We know transportation is critical to seizing economic opportunities and creating jobs to stimulate our economy,” Sebelius said. “With our state’s 10-year transportation program coming to an end, now is the time to begin planning for the future to ensure we keep our infrastructure in good shape and put our state in position for economic growth. I’ve asked task force members to create a vision that is mindful of our money, recognizes the needs of both rural and urban Kansas and uses the strength of all transportation modes.”

Sebelius directed Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Secretary Deb Miller to assemble a task force comprised of transportation experts and influential community leaders from across the state. The task force, Transportation-Leveraging Investments in Kansas (T-LINK), is charged with developing a set of recommendations for a new strategic transportation approach.

Recently, Sebelius sent letters to T-LINK members asking that their recommendations be shaped by the following priorities:

A commitment to keeping roads and bridges safe and in good repair; A collaborative project selection process that aligns our transportation investments with our state’s economic priorities; A new approach that reflects today’s fiscal realities, but also creates a framework to prepare our state for the future. The full text of the Governor’s Charge to the task force is attached.

Miller and Tim Rogers, Executive Director of the Salina Airport Authority, will serve as co-chairs to T-LINK, which will convene its first meeting on August 27.

“The nation is at a transitional point in regard to transportation policy and it is crucial that Kansas be in a position to take advantage of changes that are coming. The course we chart must reflect today’s realities but prepare us for the future,” Miller said. “We have assembled a team of leaders who are positive about the task, enthusiastic and eager to begin work.”

T-LINK Members include:

Tim Rogers, Chair, Salina Airport Authority, Salina

Secretary Deb Miller, Chair, Department of Transportation, Topeka Fred Bailey, Bailey Truck Line, Abilene Gary Beachner, Beachner Grain, St. Paul Mary Birch, Lathrop and Gage, Overland Park Joan Brabec, Twin Valley Developmental Services, Inc., Greenleaf Commissioner Shelly Buhler, Shawnee County, Topeka Ed DeSoignie, Heavy Contractors Association, Kansas City Allie Devine, Kansas Livestock Association, Topeka Commissioner Pat Hageman, Rooks County, Natoma Bernie Hayen, City of Manhattan, Manhattan Brenda Herrman, City of Hays, Hays Bart Hildreth, Wichita State University, Wichita Jan Huston, Highway Advisory Commission, Americus Roger Kaminska, Operating Engineers Local 101, Kansas City Mike Kelley, YRC Worldwide, Kansas City Don Linville, Garden City Chamber, Garden City Richard Lopez, SER-Jobs for Progress, Wichita Dean Mann, Citizens Bank, Fort Scott Scott Moore, City of Wichita, Wichita Bill Pickert, BKD, Wichita Mayor Joe Reardon, Unified Govt. Wyandotte County, Kansas City Randall Riggs, City of Newton, Newton Bob Totten, Kansas Contractors Association, Topeka Pat Weaver, KU Transportation Center, Lawrence Jane Westerman, Cargill, Dodge City

Ex-Officio Members

Secretary David Kerr, Department of Commerce, Topeka
Secretary Joan Wagnon, Department of Revenue, Topeka
Michael Johnston, Kansas Turnpike Authority, Wichita
Steve Weatherford, Kansas Development Finance Authority, Topeka



Kansas has enjoyed twenty years of success in transportation because of legislators from both parties from across the state working together. Following this approach, legislative leadership from both parties will be asked to appoint the appropriate legislators to serve as task force members. Once confirmed, the names of these legislators will be made available.

More information about T-LINK can be found at http://www.kansastlink.com