Thursday, August 28, 2025

Conflict of interest

A Topeka mayor who also works as a governmental affairs lobbyist has a significant conflict of interest, especially in relation to the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM). The mayor is required to serve the public interest of Topeka, while a lobbyist serves the interests of their client. The LKM's role as an advocate for all Kansas cities further complicates the situation, creating several potential points of conflict. [1, 2, 3]  
1. Conflict of loyalty • Mayor: The mayor's duty is to recommend and advocate for legislation that exclusively benefits the City of Topeka and its residents. 
• Lobbyist: A governmental affairs lobbyist's duty is to advance the specific interests of their paying client, which may be a corporation, trade association, or a specific interest group. 
• The conflict: If the mayor's lobbying client and the City of Topeka have competing interests on a particular issue, the mayor is faced with a direct conflict of loyalty. For example, a lobbying client that wants to lower corporate property taxes would put the mayor in a position where they must choose between advocating for their client's agenda or representing the financial interests of their city. [4, 5]  

2. Conflict of influence regarding the League of Kansas Municipalities • Mayor: As the mayor of a major Kansas city, the individual holds an influential position within the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM), which advocates for cities statewide. The mayor's vote and participation in LKM matters directly impact the collective policy positions of Kansas cities. 
• Lobbyist: A lobbyist could use their position on the LKM governing body to influence the League's policy positions to align with their private client's interests. 
• The conflict: A mayor who is also a lobbyist could push the LKM to adopt a policy stance that benefits their private client, even if that stance is not in the best interest of Topeka or the majority of other Kansas municipalities. This erodes public trust and gives one private interest undue influence over a public body. [1, 6]  

3. Conflict over resource allocation • Mayor: Part of the mayor's job is to advocate for policies and secure state funding that directly benefits Topeka, for example, for infrastructure projects or public safety. 
• Lobbyist: A lobbyist may be hired to advocate for state budget allocations that benefit their private client, such as tax breaks or subsidies for a particular industry. 
• The conflict: The mayor may be faced with a choice between directing their political influence toward securing resources for Topeka or using their political connections to help their client get a piece of the same budget. For instance, the mayor might have to choose between supporting a client's initiative for a tax incentive or fighting for a state grant to repair Topeka's roads. [4, 7]  

4. Conflict of information and access • Mayor: The mayor has access to privileged, non-public information about city planning, economic development deals, and legislative strategies. 
• Lobbyist: A lobbyist's effectiveness often hinges on their access to key decision-makers and their ability to gain insider information. 
• The conflict: A mayor/lobbyist could improperly use confidential information gained through their public office to inform their lobbying efforts, or vice-versa. For example, they might learn about a planned municipal project as mayor and then use that information to help a private client secure a related contract. This is a direct abuse of public office for private gain. Kansas law specifically prohibits a public official from using confidential information for financial gain. [4, 5, 8, 9]  

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Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
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time kills deals
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Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Conflict of interest.

Three main reasons a lobbyist for the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM) cannot also serve as a mayor in Kansas are: a fundamental conflict of interest, the specific nature of the LKM's work, and prohibitions under state ethics laws. [1, 2]

1. Fundamental conflict of interest
As mayor, a person has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their specific city and its constituents. In contrast, as a lobbyist for the League of Kansas Municipalities, that person is paid to advocate for the collective interests of all Kansas cities at the state legislature. These two duties will inevitably conflict, especially when state legislation helps some cities but harms others. For example, a bill that financially benefits the state's small towns might negatively affect a larger city. The individual would be unable to fairly serve both employers, as their "independence of judgment or action" would be compromised. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

2. Specific role of LKM and its lobbyist
The League of Kansas Municipalities is a non-profit association of cities that advocates on behalf of its members to the state legislature. Its lobbying efforts include monitoring legislation, communicating with policymakers, and pushing for laws that benefit Kansas cities.
  • As an LKM lobbyist, the individual represents the collective position of Kansas's cities in state-level legislative matters, a position that may directly oppose the specific needs of their own city.
  • As mayor, the individual is the chief executive of one specific city and is sworn to represent its unique interests in all governmental affairs.
This dual role is ethically untenable, creating a loyalty conflict that damages public trust. [6, 7]

3. Kansas ethics laws and public perception
Kansas ethics laws address conflicts of interest by requiring the disclosure of substantial financial interests and prohibiting public officials from participating in contracts where they have a conflict. A paid position lobbying the state legislature on behalf of an organization that influences policy would almost certainly qualify as a significant conflict.
  • A mayor who also works as a lobbyist would face constant scrutiny and allegations of using their public office for private gain or the interests of a special group, even if they recused themselves from every potential conflict.
  • Even if a public official abstains from acting on a specific matter, the perception of impropriety could undermine public confidence in the integrity of both the mayor and the city's government. [1, 7, 8]

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Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
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time kills deals
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Mayor or lobbyist

According to estimates from Glassdoor, a general employee at the League of Kansas Municipalities makes an average base salary of $60,000 per year

. While this is not specific to the lobbying role, it is the most direct salary information available for an employee at the organization.

The overall pay range for a general employee at the League of Kansas Municipalities is reported to be between $45,000 and $85,000, including base salary and other potential pay. Specific salaries for lobbyists are not publicly listed, but are likely to fall within this range or higher depending on seniority and experience. [1, 2]

Broader Kansas lobbyist salary data
Other sources provide broader data on lobbyist salaries in Kansas, which can be a useful comparison:
  • Salary.com reports the average annual salary for a lobbyist in Kansas is about $94,506 as of August 2025.
  • ZipRecruiter reports a lower average salary, showing the average annual pay for a lobbyist in Kansas is about $45,432 as of August 2025. [3, 4]
The difference in these salary estimates highlights that the exact compensation for a lobbyist can vary significantly based on their:
  • Employer: An in-house staff lobbyist for an organization like the League of Kansas Municipalities may earn less than a lobbyist working for a private firm.
  • Experience: Lobbying veterans often earn higher salaries than entry-level professionals.
  • Client base: The salary can also depend on the type of client they represent, such as a major corporation versus a non-profit association. [1, 3, 4]

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Henry McClure  
785.383.9994
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time kills deals
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conflict

Spencer Duncan works for the Governmental Affairs of the League of Municipalities. Tell me all about that
As the Government Affairs Director for the League of Kansas Municipalities (LKM), Spencer Duncan is the lead lobbyist for Kansas cities and their priorities at the state and federal levels
. He joined the League in 2022 and works to ensure that legislative policies align with the interests and goals of municipalities across the state. 
Key responsibilities
In his role, Duncan's primary duties include: 
  • Developing legislative policy: Working with the LKM membership to create legislative policies and strategies.
  • Advocacy and lobbying: Monitoring state and federal legislation, writing testimony, and advocating for policy issues important to Kansas cities.
  • Building relationships: Fostering relationships between local, state, and federal elected officials.
  • Negotiating with agencies: Working with state and federal agencies to ensure their policies align with the priorities of cities. 
Other notable roles and background
In addition to his work with the LKM, Duncan is a prominent figure in Topeka and has experience as a lobbyist and business owner. 
  • Topeka City Councilman: Since 2018, Duncan has served as an elected member of the Topeka City Council. In February 2025, he announced his candidacy for mayor of Topeka.
  • Professional background: Before joining the LKM, he owned Capitol Connection, a firm that provided association management, lobbying, and investigative services.
  • Education: Duncan is a native Kansan with a master's degree in business administration from Baker University and degrees in journalism and English from the University of Kansas.
  • Licensed Private Detective: He is also a licensed private detective in Kansas. 


--
Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live
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Fair deal

we have another choice 

https://dultmeierhomes.com/communities/laurens-bay-topeka-ks

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Subject: Fair deal
To: MCRE Media <mcre1.snco@blogger.com>, KSNT News Mornings <news_mornings@ksnt.com>, Governing Body <governingbody@topeka.org>, Melissa Brunner <melissa.brunner@wibw.com>, KSNT <27news@ksnt.com>, Robert M. Perez <rmperez@topeka.org>, Lanell Griffith <lanell.griffith@gmail.com>, PhillisSetchell <phillissetchell@protonmail.com>, Jim Klausman <Jklausman@midwest-health.com>




Jim Klausman

3024 SW WANAMAKER RD STE 300

TOPEKA KS 66614-4424 

 

Dear Jim, 

 

I am writing to address a matter of significant concern regarding the vacant lots at Laurens Bay. Over the past ten years, it has become evident that your considerable influence has afforded you exemptions from paying taxes and special assessments, obligations that ordinary citizens are required to meet. This disparity is deeply unfair to the taxpayers of our community, who bear the financial burden of maintaining public resources while these properties remain in your possession without contribution. 

 

After trying to address this issue through civic action and electoral efforts for accountability, I now appeal to your sense of responsibility.  By voluntarily transferring these properties to the local land bank, you would enable the city to pursue equitable solutions that benefit all residents. Such an action would not only correct a longstanding injustice but also demonstrate the integrity and leadership expected of someone in your position. 

 

I respectfully urge you to do the right thing and take this step to restore fairness. Please feel free to contact me to discuss this matter further.  



--
Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live


--
Henry McClure 
Time kills deals
785-383-9994

www.henrymcclure.live
on No comments:
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