party lines to support Republican Governor Bill Graves’ budget, which included the creation of a Children's Trust Fund. Findley was a member of the House Democratic Leadership Team serving as Policy Chair. His committee assignments included: Financial Institutions and Insurance; Economic Development; Ethics and Elections; Federal and State Affairs; and Taxation. He also served as Ranking Minority Member of the Congressional Redistricting Committee during the 2001–2002 Sessions. He was elected to his fifth term in the Kansas House of Representatives on November 5, 2002 but declined to take the oath of office in order to work for Governor Sebelius as a Legislative Liaison in January 2003. Legislative Liaison Upon her ascension to the governorship, Kathleen Sebelius hired Findley as her Legislative Liaison to the Kansas House of Representatives. While Findley served in this capacity, the Sebelius Administration shepherded through government austerity and efficiency measurers that eliminated the state's $1.1 billion deficit, without raising taxes. Chief of Staff On July 18, 2005 Governor Sebelius appointed Findley as her chief of staff. In this capacity, Findley was responsible for policy development and implementation. During the 2006 legislative session, the Sebelius Administration led efforts that resulted in the largest increase in K-12 education funding in state history. Findley's responsibilities also included serving as the Governor's chief liaison on emergency management matters. In 2007, Kansas was impacted by a series of major weather-related disasters ranging from ice storms, to floods and tornadoes. On May 4, 2007, an F5 tornado devastated the town of Greensburg, Kansas. Findley assisted in the state government's response. With encouragement from the Sebelius Administration, the residents of Greensburg embarked on an effort to rebuild their town using renewable and efficient building methods. Lieutenant Governor of Kansas Appointment On April 28, 2009, then-Governor Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed by the United States Senate as the 21st Secretary of Health and Human Services. Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson was sworn in as Kansas's 45th governor on the same day. On May 14, 2009, Governor Parkinson appointed Findley as the state's 48th lieutenant governor. Parkinson cited Findley's fitness for office and bipartisan record in his remarks at the swearing in ceremony. Responsibilities Findley's responsibilities as lieutenant governor include serving as the senior strategic advisor to the governor and, as prescribed by the Kansas Constitution, serving as acting governor when Parkinson is out of the state. In addition to those responsibilities, Findley chairs both the Governor's