Who is Mark Levin Parkinson? Mark Levin Parkinson is an American businessman and politician who served as the 47th Governor of Kansas from 2007 to 2011.
Parkinson was born in Topeka, Kansas, in 1954. He graduated from Washburn University and the University of Kansas School of Law. After working as an attorney, Parkinson entered politics in 1994 when he was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives. He served in the House until 2000, when he was elected to the Kansas Senate.
In 2006, Parkinson was elected Governor of Kansas. He defeated incumbent Republican Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Parkinson is a moderate Republican who focused on education, healthcare, and economic development during his time in office. He also signed a bill banning same-sex marriage in Kansas.
Parkinson left office in 2011 due to term limits. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Foulston Siefkin LLP.
Mark Levin Parkinson
Mark Levin Parkinson is an American businessman and politician who served as the 47th Governor of Kansas from 2007 to 2011. He is a moderate Republican who focused on education, healthcare, and economic development during his time in office.
- Governor: Parkinson was the 47th Governor of Kansas.
- Republican: Parkinson is a moderate Republican.
- Education: Parkinson focused on education during his time in office.
- Healthcare: Parkinson focused on healthcare during his time in office.
- Economic development: Parkinson focused on economic development during his time in office.
- Same-sex marriage: Parkinson signed a bill banning same-sex marriage in Kansas.
- Term limits: Parkinson left office in 2011 due to term limits.
Parkinson's focus on education, healthcare, and economic development helped to improve the lives of Kansans. He also signed a bill banning same-sex marriage in Kansas, which was a controversial decision. However, Parkinson's overall record as governor is positive. He left office with high approval ratings and is respected by both Republicans and Democrats.
| Personal Details | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Levin Parkinson |
| Birth Date | May 19, 1954 |
| Birth Place | Topeka, Kansas |
| Education | Washburn University, University of Kansas School of Law |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Term | 2007-2011 |
Governor
Mark Levin Parkinson's tenure as the 47th Governor of Kansas was a significant period in his political career and in the history of Kansas itself. As the chief executive of the state, Parkinson played a pivotal role in shaping policies and initiatives that impacted the lives of Kansans. His governorship was characterized by a focus on education, healthcare, and economic development, as well as a commitment to bipartisanship and collaboration.
- Education: Parkinson prioritized education throughout his governorship. He increased funding for public schools and implemented programs to improve student achievement. He also worked to make college more affordable for Kansas students.
- Healthcare: Parkinson expanded access to healthcare for Kansans by implementing the Affordable Care Act. He also worked to reduce the cost of prescription drugs and improve the quality of care for Kansans.
- Economic development: Parkinson focused on creating jobs and growing the Kansas economy. He worked to attract new businesses to the state and supported small businesses. He also invested in infrastructure and workforce development.
- Bipartisanship: Parkinson was known for his ability to work with both Republicans and Democrats. He built relationships with legislators from both parties and worked to find common ground on important issues.
Parkinson's governorship was a time of progress and prosperity for Kansas. He left office with high approval ratings and is respected by both Republicans and Democrats. His legacy as Governor of Kansas is one of leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to improving the lives of Kansans.
Republican
Mark Levin Parkinson is a moderate Republican, which means that he holds political views that are generally considered to be in the center of the Republican Party. Moderate Republicans typically support a mix of conservative and liberal policies, and they are often willing to work with members of the other party to find common ground. Parkinson's moderate Republicanism has allowed him to build relationships with both Republicans and Democrats, and it has helped him to be an effective leader in Kansas.
Parkinson's moderate Republicanism is evident in his policy positions on a variety of issues. For example, Parkinson supports abortion rights, but he also supports parental notification laws. He supports gun rights, but he also supports background checks for gun purchases. He supports free trade, but he also supports protecting American jobs. Parkinson's moderate Republicanism allows him to appeal to a wide range of voters, and it has helped him to be successful in Kansas, a state that is evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.
Parkinson's moderate Republicanism is a key part of his political identity. It has allowed him to build relationships with both Republicans and Democrats, and it has helped him to be an effective leader in Kansas. Parkinson's moderate Republicanism is a model for other politicians who are looking to find common ground and get things done.
Education
Mark Levin Parkinson made education a priority during his time as Governor of Kansas. He increased funding for public schools and implemented programs to improve student achievement. He also worked to make college more affordable for Kansas students.
- Increased Funding for Public Schools: Parkinson increased funding for public schools by 5% in his first year as governor. He also worked to ensure that schools had the resources they needed to provide a quality education to all students.
- Implemented Programs to Improve Student Achievement: Parkinson implemented a number of programs to improve student achievement, including the Kansas Reading Initiative and the Kansas Math Initiative. These programs provided additional support to students who were struggling in these areas.
- Made College More Affordable for Kansas Students: Parkinson worked to make college more affordable for Kansas students by increasing funding for scholarships and grants. He also worked to reduce the cost of tuition and fees at state colleges and universities.
Parkinson's focus on education helped to improve the lives of Kansans. Students in Kansas public schools saw their test scores improve, and more Kansas students were able to attend college. Parkinson's commitment to education is a key part of his legacy as Governor of Kansas.
Healthcare
Mark Levin Parkinson's focus on healthcare during his time as Governor of Kansas was a key part of his commitment to improving the lives of Kansans. He expanded access to healthcare, reduced the cost of prescription drugs, and improved the quality of care for Kansans.
- Expanded Access to Healthcare: Parkinson expanded access to healthcare for Kansans by implementing the Affordable Care Act. This allowed more Kansans to get the health insurance they needed.
- Reduced the Cost of Prescription Drugs: Parkinson worked to reduce the cost of prescription drugs for Kansans. He created a program that allowed Kansans to buy prescription drugs at a discount.
- Improved the Quality of Care for Kansans: Parkinson worked to improve the quality of care for Kansans. He implemented a number of programs to improve patient safety and quality of care.
Parkinson's focus on healthcare helped to improve the lives of Kansans. More Kansans had access to affordable healthcare, and the quality of care for Kansans improved. Parkinson's commitment to healthcare is a key part of his legacy as Governor of Kansas.
Economic development
Mark Levin Parkinson's focus on economic development during his time as Governor of Kansas was a key part of his commitment to improving the lives of Kansans. He worked to create jobs, grow the Kansas economy, and attract new businesses to the state.
One of Parkinson's key economic development initiatives was the creation of the Kansas Bioscience Authority. This organization was tasked with promoting the growth of the bioscience industry in Kansas. Parkinson also worked to attract new businesses to the state, including companies like Garmin and Google. He also supported small businesses and entrepreneurs by providing them with tax breaks and other incentives.
Parkinson's focus on economic development helped to create jobs and grow the Kansas economy. The state's unemployment rate fell during his tenure, and Kansas became a more attractive place to do business. Parkinson's commitment to economic development is a key part of his legacy as Governor of Kansas.
Same-sex marriage
Mark Parkinson's decision to sign a bill banning same-sex marriage in Kansas was a controversial one. The bill, which was passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2005, defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Parkinson signed the bill into law in May of that year.
- Political Context: Parkinson's decision to sign the bill was influenced by the political climate in Kansas at the time. The state was deeply conservative, and there was strong support for a ban on same-sex marriage. Parkinson was also facing pressure from his own party, as many Republicans were in favor of the ban.
- Religious Beliefs: Parkinson is a Catholic, and his religious beliefs may have influenced his decision to sign the bill. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament between one man and one woman.
- Personal Beliefs: Parkinson has said that he believes marriage should be between one man and one woman. He has also said that he believes that children are best raised by a mother and a father.
- Legal Challenges: The bill was challenged in court, and in 2015, the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry. The ruling overturned Parkinson's ban on same-sex marriage in Kansas.
Parkinson's decision to sign the bill banning same-sex marriage in Kansas was a controversial one. It was influenced by the political climate in Kansas at the time, his religious beliefs, and his personal beliefs. The bill was ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court, but it remains a part of Parkinson's legacy as governor of Kansas.
Term limits
Mark Levin Parkinson left office in 2011 due to term limits. Term limits are a form of election law that limits the number of terms an elected official can serve in office. In Kansas, the governor is limited to two terms in office. Parkinson was elected to his first term in 2006 and was re-elected in 2010. He was unable to run for a third term in 2011 due to term limits.
Term limits have been a controversial issue in Kansas and across the United States. Supporters of term limits argue that they prevent elected officials from becoming too powerful and that they encourage new leadership. Opponents of term limits argue that they deprive voters of the opportunity to elect the best candidate for the job and that they can lead to a less experienced and less qualified pool of candidates.
The debate over term limits is likely to continue. However, it is clear that term limits had a significant impact on Mark Levin Parkinson's career as governor of Kansas. He was unable to run for a third term and was forced to leave office in 2011. This had a significant impact on the state of Kansas and on Parkinson's own political career.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mark Levin Parkinson
This section provides answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Mark Levin Parkinson, the 47th Governor of Kansas.
Question 1: What are Mark Levin Parkinson's political views?
Mark Levin Parkinson is a moderate Republican. He supports a mix of conservative and liberal policies, and he is often willing to work with members of the other party to find common ground.
Question 2: What were Mark Levin Parkinson's priorities as governor?
Mark Levin Parkinson's priorities as governor were education, healthcare, and economic development. He increased funding for public schools, implemented programs to improve student achievement, and worked to make college more affordable for Kansas students. He also expanded access to healthcare, reduced the cost of prescription drugs, and improved the quality of care for Kansans. Additionally, he focused on creating jobs, growing the Kansas economy, and attracting new businesses to the state.
Question 3: Why did Mark Levin Parkinson leave office?
Mark Levin Parkinson left office in 2011 due to term limits. In Kansas, the governor is limited to two terms in office.
Question 4: What is Mark Levin Parkinson's legacy as governor?
Mark Levin Parkinson's legacy as governor is one of leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to improving the lives of Kansans. He is respected by both Republicans and Democrats, and his moderate Republicanism allowed him to find common ground and get things done.
Question 5: What are Mark Levin Parkinson's current activities?
After leaving office, Mark Levin Parkinson returned to private life. He is currently a partner at the law firm of Foulston Siefkin LLP.
Question 6: What are some of the challenges that Mark Levin Parkinson faced as governor?
Mark Levin Parkinson faced a number of challenges during his time as governor, including the Great Recession, which began in 2008. He also faced challenges related to education, healthcare, and economic development. However, he was able to work with both Republicans and Democrats to find common ground and address these challenges.
Summary: Mark Levin Parkinson is a moderate Republican who served as the 47th Governor of Kansas from 2007 to 2011. He focused on education, healthcare, and economic development during his time in office. He left office in 2011 due to term limits. Parkinson is respected by both Republicans and Democrats for his leadership and his commitment to improving the lives of Kansans.
Transition: Mark Levin Parkinson's governorship was a time of progress and prosperity for Kansas. He left office with high approval ratings and is respected by both Republicans and Democrats. His legacy as Governor of Kansas is one of leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to improving the lives of Kansans.
Conclusion
Mark Levin Parkinson's governorship of Kansas was a time of progress and prosperity for the state. He focused on education, healthcare, and economic development, and he worked to improve the lives of all Kansans. He left office in 2011 with high approval ratings and is respected by both Republicans and Democrats. His legacy as Governor of Kansas is one of leadership, collaboration, and a commitment to public service.
Parkinson's governorship is an example of how effective leadership can make a positive difference in the lives of others. He was able to work with both Republicans and Democrats to find common ground and address the challenges facing Kansas. He also showed a deep commitment to public service, and he always put the needs of Kansans first. Parkinson's legacy is one that will continue to inspire future generations of leaders.
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