State Treasurer

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phone: 7852963171

About

Dennis McKinney became the 38th State Treasurer of Kansas on January 5, 2009. He brings to the office 20 years of public service on the county and state level that has emphasized careful management of taxpayer’s dollars while encouraging state investment in economic growth and creation of good paying jobs for Kansans.

As State Treasurer, McKinney acts first and foremost as the state’s Chief Fiscal Officer. He oversees and is responsible for state monies totaling more than $20.6 billion this year. In that capacity, McKinney works to ensure that the state gets the maximum return on those billions while they are in the state’s hands.

"I come from a farm background where we always watch every penny we spend. I have always believed that is what elected officials should do as well, and I take that attitude into the State’s Treasurer’s office. Kansas taxpayers can be sure that their tax dollars are safe," said State Treasurer Dennis McKinney.

The State Treasurer also administers the state’s Learning Quest 529 Education Savings program, a savings program that opens the door for many Kansas families to send their children to college or technical school while gaining valuable tax deductions. For Dennis McKinney, this is a chore he relishes.

"We want to help Kansas families get ahead and that’s exactly what the Learning Quest Savings Program does. In today's job market, when most jobs require at least some education beyond high school, Learning Quest can be the most important investment parents can make for their children and for our state," said McKinney.

Through Learning Quest a family can invest in the savings program to help pay for a child’s post secondary education, either for college or technical school. All money invested remains tax free at the state and federal level when withdrawn for higher education expenses. These savings are administered by one of the top financial investment companies in our region.

"Learning Quest can help Kansans save taxes today while investing in their children’s future. We’ve long understood that hard work and investing in education is the best means to opportunity," said McKinney.

The Kansas Treasurer’s office also runs an unclaimed property program that reunites people with lost bank accounts, insurance policies, shares of stocks, and other assets. Since 2007, over $11.3 million in unclaimed property has been returned to its rightful owners.

"It is my job to reunite Kansans with their unclaimed financial assets. I use our website, in addition to many other initiatives, to bring the unclaimed property program directly to the people of Kansas."

Prior to becoming State Treasurer, McKinney was the Minority leader in the Kansas House of Representatives for six years. He established a well-earned reputation as an advocate of fiscal responsibility while working with both Republicans and Democrats in supporting efforts to increase jobs and economic opportunity such as the 1999 Comprehensive Transportation Program and incentives for expansion of the Kansas aviation industry.

In May 2007, McKinney was reminded of the importance of community in Kansas when he and his daughter Lindy rode out the devastating Greensburg tornado in their home’s basement. Emerging from the cellar after the storm passed, they found their house and most of their hometown in ruins. While many were unsure if the town of Greensburg would survive such devastation, the McKinneys were one of the first families to commit to staying in Greensburg and rebuilding their house where it stood. McKinney continues to serve his home community as a leader in the environmentally friendly rebuilding efforts.

As State Representative, McKinney was focused on bipartisan solutions for reforming education and healthcare in Kansas. He was also active on issues dealing with utilities, energy, transportation, affordable housing and workforce development.

Prior to serving in the state legislature, Dennis served as a Kiowa County Commissioner from January 1989 through May 1992.

He is a farmer and a stockman in Kiowa and Comanche counties.

McKinney holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in public finance and administration, both from Wichita State University.

A lifelong Kansan, McKinney resides in Greensburg with his wife Jean and their daughters Kelly and Lindy. Kelly is currently attending Kansas State University while Lindy attends Greensburg High School.