Governor of Kansas

Governor of the State of Kansas
Flag of the Governor
200px Incumbent Sam Brownback since January 10, 2011
Residence	Cedar Crest
Term length	Four years, renewable once
Formation	February 9, 1861
Salary	$99,636 (2013)
Website	www.governor.ks.gov/

The Governor of the State of Kansas is the head of state for the State of Kansas, United States. Under the Kansas Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Kansas executive branch, of the government of Kansas. The Governor is the Commander-in-Chief of the Kansas National Guard when not called into Federal use. Despite being an executive branch official, the Governor also possesses legislative and judicial powers. The Governor's responsibilities include making yearly "State of the State" addresses to the Kansas Legislature, submitting the budget, ensuring that state laws are enforced, and that the peace is preserved.

The office was created in 1861 when Kansas was officially admitted to the United States as the 34th state. Prior to statehood in 1861, the office was preceded by a Presidential appointed Governor of Kansas Territory with similar powers.

The 46th and current Governor of Kansas is Sam Brownback. His term began on January 11, 2011. He succeeded Mark Parkinson, who began his term on April 28, 2009 when Kathleen Sebelius resigned upon the US Senate vote confirming her as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

There is no lifetime limit on the number of times he or she may be elected, but a governor who has been elected to two consecutive terms must be out of office for at least one election cycle before being eligible once again for re-election. Elections occur at the same time as the Congressional midterm elections, and each term begins on the second Monday of January following the election. The lieutenant governor is subject to the same limitations and runs on a combined ticket with the governor.

If the governor becomes incapacitated, the lieutenant governor assumes the duties of the governor. However, if both offices become vacant, the line of succession is determined by the legislature. Under present law, the President of the Senate would be next in line to assume the governorship, followed by the Speaker of the House.

Flag of the Governor prior to 1961. It is unclear when the Governor's flag was first created

Residence

Since 1962, the Governor of Kansas has resided in the governor's mansion, known as Cedar Crest. It was designed by the architect firm Wight and Wight. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.

See also

• List of Governors of Kansas

External links

• Office of the Governor
• Kansas Government Information Online Library (Scroll down to Governors' publications)