Latest Updates https://www.mikeburgess.com daily 1 2012-05-30T16:36:00Z Thank You https://www.mikeburgess.com/news/thank-you I've had a great ride over the last 10 years while serving in the Kansas House of Representatives. Running for office has been an amazing experience with many, many positive memories and so many people who have had a positive impact on my life and family. I want to thank everyone who supported me and wish all of the new elected officials the best of luck as they face the challenges ahead.

]]> No publisher Mike Burgess 2012-11-07T17:10:00Z Blog Entry Kansas Wins National Award for Open Government https://www.mikeburgess.com/news/kansas-wins-national-award-for-open-government Rep. Burgess Accepts NASCIO Award for Open Government on behalf of the State of Kansas. Topeka, Kan. – The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) awarded the Kansas Legislative Information Systems and Services (KLISS) system the Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology in State Government in the Open Government category on October 23rd during NASCIO’s annual conference in San Diego, California.

The application is designed to provide access to a full range of legislative deliberations, allowing citizens and businesses to participate fully in the process of making law. Through use of an innovative tracking mechanism that captures versions of bills, agendas, minutes and supporting material as they move through the legislative process, the public can see how law originates and evolves, and more easily take advantage of opportunities to participate in its creation.

This open government application also represents a unique partnership between the Kansas executive and legislative branches of government. The executive and legislative branches participated together in the staffing, funding, and implementation of the system. The executive branch Office of Information Technology Services also hosts the public website, funded by Information Network of Kansas, at: www.kslegislature.org.

The award nomination was made with the joint support of Executive Chief Information Technology Officer Anthony Schlinson, Legislative Chief Information Technology Officer Jim Miller, and Rep. Mike Burgess (R –Topeka), who serves both as the vice-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Information Technology and the chair of the House Government Efficiency committee.

This partnership with the Kansas Legislature supports the Brownback administration’s continuing commitment to open and transparent government.  Governor Brownback recently signed into law HB2175, the Kansas OneMap Act.   This law extends government transparency by supporting the geocoding of government information and services provided to citizens and businesses in the state of Kansas.

NASCIO’s Recognition Awards are given annually to states that have implemented exceptional programs that have made an important contribution to the operation of state government. This year, NASCIO received more than 120 nominations covering 10 categories. More information on the awards can be found online at: www.nascio.org/

]]> No publisher admin 2012-10-23T22:25:00Z Blog Entry Kansas IT Application Finalist in Open Government https://www.mikeburgess.com/news/kansas-it-application-finalist-in-open-government Topeka, Kan. – The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) announced Wednesday that the Kansas Legislative Information Systems and Services (KLISS) system has been nominated as one of three finalists in the Open Government category of the 2012 Recognition Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology in State Government. The winner will be announced in San Diego, California on October 23rd during NASCIO’s annual conference. The application is designed to provide access to a full range of legislative deliberations, allowing citizens and businesses to participate fully in the process of making law. Through use of an innovative tracking mechanism that captures versions of bills, agendas, minutes and supporting material as they move through the legislative process, the public can see how law originates and evolves, and more easily take advantage of opportunities to participate in its creation.

This open government application also represents a unique partnership between the Kansas executive and legislative branches of government. The executive and legislative branches participated together in the staffing, funding, and implementation of the system. The executive branch Office of Information Technology Services also hosts the public website, funded by Information Network of Kansas, at: www.kslegislature.org.

Anthony Schlinsog, the Executive Branch Chief Information Technology Officer nominated the application for the award. “I am pleased to learn of the recognition of the KLISS project and the long-standing partnership between the Office of Information Technology Services and the Kansas Legislature,” said Schlinsog. “My congratulations to all those whose hard work resulted in this national honor.”

The award nomination was made with the joint support of Legislative Chief Information Technology Officer Jim Miller and Rep. Mike Burgess (R –Topeka), who serves both as the vice-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Information Technology and the chair of the House Government Efficiency committee. In acknowledging the nomination, Miller praised the work of the KLISS project team. “Being nominated for this award is both a tribute to and recognition of the Legislative staff from the Senate and House Chambers, the Revisor’s Office, the Research Department, and IT,” Miller said. “These Legislative staff members have created a system which truly captures the spirit of open government.”

Legislative sponsorship has also been key to the application’s success. “Both the Joint Committee on Information Technology and the House Government Efficiency Committee have been strong supporters of open government and transparency efforts. This is a great honor,” Burgess said.

This partnership with the Kansas Legislature supports the Brownback administration’s continuing commitment to open and transparent government.  Governor Brownback recently signed into law HB2175, the Kansas OneMap Act.   This law extends government transparency by supporting the geocoding of government information and services provided to citizens and businesses in the state of Kansas.

NASCIO’s Recognition Awards are given annually to states that have implemented exceptional programs that have made an important contribution to the operation of state government. This year, NASCIO received more than 120 nominations covering 10 categories. More information on the awards can be found online at: www.nascio.org/

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]]> No publisher admin 2012-08-21T00:30:28Z Blog Entry Rep. Mike Burgess Congratulates the 23rd delegate he sponsored to Boys and Girls State https://www.mikeburgess.com/news/boys-and-girls-state I enjoyed going to the Sunrise Optimist Club earlier this week to hear about the experiences of some of the 2012 Boys and Girls State delegates.

It was my honor to congratulate Ryan Kelly for his nomination and participation in Boys State this year.

If you are not familiar with it, the American Legion Boys State and the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State are educational programs for youth after their junior year of high school.  During the week-long program each participant becomes a part of the operation of their local, county and state government. They run for and serve in city, county and statewide office that serve as a model of the real governments. They are challenged to deal with real issues and have to come up with their own solutions.

Both my wife and I were fortunate enough to be delegates and have always been very supportive of this great program. During my time in the legislature, I have sponsored 23 delegates to Boys State and Girls State.

I also encourage all of the delegates to come shadow me for a day in the legislature to build on their experiences of serving in a mock state legislature.

Our future is in good hands with this very articulate group of delegates.

]]> No publisher Mike Burgess 2012-07-05T18:30:00Z Blog Entry Representative Burgess Recognized for Perfect Attendance https://www.mikeburgess.com/news/burgess-recognized-for-attendance TOPEKA – Representative Mike Burgess (R-Topeka) was recognized for the fourth consecutive year for his perfect voting attendance. Official records of the Kansas House of Representatives show that Representative Burgess is one of 27 house members with a perfect voting attendance this year and the only member from the Shawnee County delegation who did not miss a single vote of the 396 cast by the full House. “My job is to be the voice for my constituents. I’m there voting for every vote. I take to heart the fact I’m there representing my district,” Burgess said.

Burgess was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2002. He represents the 51st District.

“When legislators are elected, their families, professional responsibilities and social obligations still require their time,” said Speaker Mike O’Neal (R-Hutchinson). “Representative Burgess’s commitment and dedication to his constituents is clearly evident in the time he spends serving them in Topeka.”

Burgess is filed to run in the 2012 November election, and after current redistricting changes, due to census changes, he now resides and is a candidate in the new 53rd House district covering the western portion of Topeka.

The House Clerk records, and recently confirmed, the official attendance and voting records of the Kansas House of Representatives.

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]]> No publisher Mike Burgess 2012-06-23T19:30:00Z Blog Entry Burgess Completes 2012 Townhall Tours https://www.mikeburgess.com/news/burgess-completes-2012-townhall-tours This year's townhall meetings included stops in North Topeka, Silver Lake, Alma, Eskridge, Alta Vista and Topeka. This year's townhall meetings included stops in North Topeka, Silver Lake, Alma, Eskridge, Alta Vista and Topeka.

]]> No publisher Mike Burgess 2012-06-14T05:00:00Z Blog Entry