Governor Kathleen Sebelius has named her appointments to the Facilities Closure and Realignment Commission.

“To address the long term fiscal health of our state and the welfare of our citizens, we must ensure that government programs and facilities are maximized, ensuring our limited resources are used wisely,” Sebelius said. “This commission will begin the important work of identifying areas where we can continue to deliver quality services but achieve savings and efficiencies by combining efforts, and recommend appropriate action to the legislature.”

In January, Governor Sebelius signed the executive order establishing the commission, which will be chaired by Rochelle Chronister from Neodesha and the majority of its members are appointed by legislative leaders. The group will study the closure or realignment of state facilities. The group will consider potential savings, impact to communities and feasibility of such actions, and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature on or before December 1, 2009. Upon review and approval by the governor, the recommendations will be submitted to the 2010 Legislature as an Executive Reorganization Order.

Greta Goodwin, Winfield, is a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives and Kansas Senate. In the private sector, Goodwin worked in the legal and banking industries and was an adjunct faculty member at Cowley County Community College.

Martin Keenan, Great Bend, is an attorney with more than two decades experience in the practice of law. Keenan sits on the board of directors for the Kansas Humanities Council and is active in his community, presently serving on the board of the Barton County’s Young Men Association.

Elizabeth Kinch, Derby, is a former member of the Derby City Council, the Kansas House of Representatives and the Kansas State Board of Education. Kinch is active in her community, having previously worked with groups addressing public safety, health issues and local economic development.

Bonnie Lowe, Lawrence, sits on the board of directors for the Kansas Health Insurance Association and is a former commissioner and mayor of the Lawrence City Council. Active on several local boards and organizations, Lowe brings more than 15 years of leadership experience to this commission.

Facilities to be considered include, but are not limited to: the Kansas School for the Deaf; the Kansas School for the Blind; the Beloit Juvenile Correctional Facility; the State Developmental Disability Hospitals; and the Rainbow Mental Health Facility.

Governor Sebelius’ budget recommendations for 2010 already identified $8 million in savings by closing facilities and streamlining programs associated in the Juvenile Justice Authority; the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation; Kansas, Inc.; and the Department of Commerce.