Gail Finney
Gail Finney (August 16, 1959 – August 20, 2022) was an American businesswoman and politician who was a Democratic member of the Kansas House of Representatives, who represented the 84th house district from 2009 until her death in 2022.
Gail Finney | |
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Member of the Kansas House of Representatives from the 84th district | |
In office January 1, 2009 – August 20, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Oletha Faust-Goudeau |
Succeeded by | Ford Carr |
Personal details | |
Born | Wichita, Kansas, U.S. | August 16, 1959
Died | August 20, 2022 63) | (aged
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Jerrold Finney |
Children | 3 |
Alma mater | |
Background
Finney was born in Wichita, Kansas. She was a graduate of Southeast High School, had a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Wichita State University and an MBA from Friends University.[1] She was a business owner.[2]
Political career
Finney served on the Wichita Chamber of Commerce's Visioneering Racial, Diversity, Opportunities, and Harmony Board; the District 1 Advisory Board, Precinct Committee Woman, and the Governor's Kansas African American Advisory Commission.
Issue positions
On her website, Finney listed her legislative priorities as:[3]
- Ensuring a quality education for all Kansas children,
- Bringing the cost of health care and prescription drugs down,
- Working with all levels of government and the private sector to grow our economy and expand our job base.
2016 committee memberships
Her assignments for the 2015–2016 Session Committees were:
- House Appropriations
- House Corrections and Juvenile Justice
- House Transportation and Public Safety Budgets, Ranking Democrat[1]
Sponsored legislation
- H 5003 Kansas constitutional amendment; equal rights; no discrimination based on sex. January 23, 2009
- H 5014 Expanded rail service; Kansas City to Fort Worth, Texas; congratulating Kansas Department of Transportation and others; urging action. March 17, 2009[4]
- In February 2014, it was discovered that Finney wants Kansas caregivers (including teachers and parents) to be allowed to spank children to the point of bruising without consequence.[5][6][7][8]
Major donors
The top 5 donors to Finney's 2008 campaign were mostly individual donors:[9]
- 1. Finney, Gail $4,991
- 2. Kansas Contractors Assoc $750
- 3. Kansans for Lifesaving Cures $750
- 4. Finney Jr, Jerrold $500
- 5. Finney Sr, Jerrold $500
Death
After a series of health problems, Finney died on August 20, 2022, aged 63. She had undergone a kidney transplant earlier in the year.[2] She was posthumously given the key to the city of Wichita.[10]
References
- Rep. Gail Finney Meet Gail Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- Bahl, Andrew (August 20, 2022). "Longtime Wichita Rep. Gail Finney dies at 63. She was remembered by colleagues as a 'warrior.'". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- Rep. Gail Finney- Homepage Retrieved June 29, 2009. Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- "Bills Introduced by Member". Kansas Legislature. Archived from the original on May 5, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- "Kansas bill would allow spanking that leaves marks". USA Today. AP. February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- Celia Llopis-Jepsen, Proposed bill would allow teachers to spank children up to 10 times with hand The Topeka Capital-Journal February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- Kan. Bill Would Let Teachers, Caregivers Spank Kids Harder KMOV February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- Teachers could spank harder under bill pending in KS Legislature KCTV February 17, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2014.
- Follow the Money – 2008 Campaign Contributions Retrieved June 29, 2009.
- "Gail Finney posthumously given Key to City of Wichita". KSN-TV. September 4, 2022. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
External links
- Official website
- Kansas Legislature – Gail Finney
- Project Vote Smart profile
- Kansas Votes profile
- Campaign contributions: 1998, 2008