July 7, 2023       Friday File Donate Now KSGOP CLICK HERE       Guest Column by Steven Johnson Republican Kansas State Treasurer During my 20-plus years in the private financial industry, I understood my job was to provide the best possible return for our clients, within an acceptable risk profile. Unfortunately, this long-accepted understanding of “fiduciary duty” is being turned on its head by liberal activists. They are now seeking to implement their rejected policy objectives like the “Green New Deal,” through corporate board rooms. So-called Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing criteria asserts that corporations must commit to certain policy objectives, such as decarbonization strategies. Unfortunately, many large institutional investors, including several government pension funds, are complicit in this wrong-headed investment philosophy. One egregious example came in 2021, when a group of ESG investors succeeded in getting several anti-fossil fuel activists elected to the board of ExxonMobil. Unbelievably, BlackRock, which manages some of the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS) funds, participated in this coup alongside the environmental activists. The good news is that the Kansas Legislature came together this year and passed a bill which will stop this nonsense going forward. House Bill 2100 requires that KPERS funds be invested solely based on the expected returns, not on ESG factors. As the only member of the KPERS Board of Trustees elected directly by Kansas voters, I’m pleased to report that the Board is implementing this new law. We recently contracted with a proxy voting advisory firm, Egan-Jones. This firm will be tasked with making sure the shares of the thousands of companies held in the KPERS portfolio are never again voted contrary to what is in the best interest of the KPERS beneficiaries, and ultimately Kansas taxpayers who are on the hook if the investments fail to meet their expected returns. The Legislature’s great work has not gone unnoticed. The Heritage Foundation recently published an op-ed touting the Kansas bill, alongside Florida’s, as “one of the strongest in the nation.” Thank you for your support, and the privilege of serving as your State Treasurer.     1776 Club Are you ready to take a stand for liberty, patriotism, and the future of our great nation? Join with your fellow Kansas Republican Party (KSGOP) members and become a proud member of the prestigious “1776 Club”. Together, we can make a difference and save America from the threats that loom over our values and freedoms here in Kansas and across America. As a card-carrying member of the KSGOP, you will join a passionate community of like-minded individuals who are committed to upholding conservative principles and ensuring a prosperous future for Kansas and the United States. By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to actively participate in shaping policies that align with our core beliefs and be eligible for a random “pop-up -perk” as cool opportunities become available. The “1776 Club” represents the embodiment and foundation of our nation's founding principles and the spirit of independence. By joining this exclusive club, you will gain access to a network of influential leaders and dedicated activists who are working tirelessly to protect our constitutional rights and preserve the American dream. Joining the KSGOP and the “1776 Club” is not just about being a member; it's about being part of a movement that stands firm against the forces that threaten our American values. Together, we will promote limited government, individual liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a real impact. Join the Kansas Republican Party and the “1776 Club” today, and be part of the solution. Together, we will build a stronger, more united America and Kansas for generations to come. As a “Pop-Up-Perk” of being a 1776 Club member, you are automatically entered into our perks program where random winners are given opportunities for swag to attend unique and exclusive events, and we want you in the “cool kids club” :-). Signup now to be a 1776’er and get yourself in the hunt... The perks are put of sight, so you don't want to miss out! Join Now CLICK HERE     Numinar Data Management Platform Training Sign Up Are you a candidate? Are you a campaign manager? Are you a Republican? Why aren't you signed up for Numiar? It is 100% FREE and all you have to do is ask to be included! Let's get this done! To sign up for Numinar, our powerful and cutting-edge data management and canvassing application tool: CLICK HERE To register for live, in-person Numinar training on Thursday, July 13th at 6:30 pm, join the Google meeting: CLICK HERE To watch a prerecorded Numinar overview video: CLICK HERE If you are a candidate for office this year or next year or are involved in campaign management for a candidate, please click the link above now to sign up for training on the Numinar Data Management System. The KSGOP provides use of the Numinar platform and RNC Data Trust via your local county Republican Party, AND IT IS FREE TO YOU. If you know someone who is “selling” access to Numinar or attempting to sell other platforms that utilize RNC Data Trust information to candidates, please report this to Dakotah Parshall, KSGOP Executive Director, at [email protected]. Numinar is an excellent and powerful proprietary data access platform harnessing the RNC Data Trust information database, which makes getting elected easier and puts winning well within reach. Please sign up now, and let's roll!     RNC First Presidential Debate and Summer Meetings Set for Milwaukee in August The Republican National Committee Summer Meetings 2023 will be held in Milwaukee, WI, in August and will feature the first Presidential Republican Primary Debate on the evening of August 23rd. The debate will be aired live on Fox News, and anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum will moderate the first Republican primary debate. In addition to the debate, regular business meetings are scheduled, and this trip allows the RNC members to see the venues and understand the overall process for the Presidential Nominating Convention, also expected to occur in Milwaukee a year later in the summer of 2024. It is an honor to represent and serve you as your Kansas Republican Party Chairman and as a member of the Republican National Committee. We have much work to do, and we have a country to save. It's my privilege to represent YOU! Feel free to email me, your party Chairman, at [email protected] and let me know what is on your mind. Serving as your Republican Party Representative is important to me, and I want to hear from you! From your “I love this life” KSGOP Chairman, Mike Brown CLICK HERE DONATE NOW Kansas Republican Calendar of Events July 9, 2023 (Sunday) 5-8 pm Johnson County Republican Party (JCRP) is hosting its annual picnic... Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa Just east of Lackman Rd., on the south side of 87th St. Grand Pavilion (toward the west side of the park, on the east side of the lake) Activities include: Food! - from multiple food trucks Music throughout the evening Meet the candidates in this year's local elections. Candidates will have a table where you can meet them face to face, ask questions, and voice your concerns. "Pies by Politicians" - Bid on homemade pies made by local and state elected officials. Plenty of playgrounds for the kids, so bring the whole family. July 11, 2023 (Tuesday) Emporia Republicans Meeting 630-830pm 402 Commercial St. Emporia, KS July 18, 2023 (Tuesday) Johnson County Republican Party Elephant Club Luncheon 1130am-1 pm The speaker is Kris Kobach, KS Attorney General More details/info available at JCRPKS.org Note: If you have a Republican event you would like to tell folks about, email the details for inclusion consideration to: [email protected]       Facts and Figures “Bidenomics” is Failing Us (Part 2) Today's June jobs report does little to ease Americans' economic worries. The U.S. economy added 209,000 jobs in June – lower than economists’ expectations and the fewest jobs added since Biden took office. Biden’s economic agenda is decimating Americans’ finances – the average middle-class household has lost over $33,000 in real wealth in just the past year. The unemployment rate ticked up for Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and those who did not graduate high school. The U-6, a broader measure of joblessness, increased to 6.9%. Last week, the Biden administration said Bidenomics is incredibly popular. Harvard CAPS-Harris poll: 74% say their financial situation is not improving, with almost half saying their financial situation is actively “getting worse” under Biden. NBC News Poll: 74% say the nation is on the wrong track. Fox News Poll: 83% rate the economic situation of the nation as negative. Almost 80% of Americans say Biden’s policies have not helped them, with almost half saying that Biden’s policies are actively hurting their family. CNN Poll: A CNN poll from May shows 66% disapprove of the economy. Americans know his economic plan is failing, and Biden is proving that he could not be more out of touch. See below for the facts. You can find all of these and more at FactCheckBiden.com. Bidenomics Is Not Working This Is Biden’s Inflation Biden's Middle-Class Deception 'Bidenomics' Is Bashing The Middle Class The bottom line Joe Biden said he’s "turning things around quickly," but wages and savings are down, prices are up, and American families are worse off since Biden took office. That’s a recession for the middle class, and the result of Bidenomics. What We Are Reading National Review, Andy Puzder: Bidenomics Spin vs. Economic Reality Fox News, Timothy H.J. Nerozzi: Michigan House passes bill that could make using wrong pronouns a felony, fineable up to $10,000 Breitbart, Wendell Husebo: Just 3 in 10 Americans believe Joe Biden's economy is good     You can get your very own FRIDAY FILE email every week just for signing up! Are you receiving a forwarded copy of the Friday File? Make sure you never miss out! Sign up now for your own personal copy by clicking the button below to receive your KSGOP Friday File delivered directly to your email inbox every Friday! ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ CLICK HERE ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️     Kansas Legislative Post Audit Election Integrity Report On April 22nd of this year the Kansas Legislative Post Audit Committee authorized an audit of election security policies and procedures and review of the security of voting machines, ballots storage and devices by auditing 15 counties across the state. The Kansas Legislative Post Audit (KSLPA) report was presented earlier this week and subsequently released to the public as Part 2 of the inspection of Kansas elections. The findings in the report were of interest to many Kansans who have continuing serious unanswered questions and concerns regarding Kansas’ election security and our upcoming 2023/24 elections. The KSLPA report laid bare that Kansas’ overall election policies are not uniform, ballot security practices are weak, many counties have inadequate voting and tabulation machine security practices, and security measures and policies vary wildly from county to county. Shockingly, two of our Kansas counties ultimately refused to participate in the full audit, and some others “sealed” their records after being instructed not to do so but sealed them regardless of the direction given. There may be nothing to hide in these non-compliance instances, however behaving this way leads to serious doubts about something being hidden from the Kansas Legislature and the public. That destroys confidence in the process and is unacceptable. The Kansas Legislature and the general public should press these counties to comply as the voting public and Kansas taxpayers are the owners of the information. The report states the Secretary of State does not proactively provide state-level guidance or make recommendations about minimum election security expectations. The yearly training proved by the SoS staff to County Clerks does not include in depth training on the importance of security controls or how to adequately design and practice them. None of the 15 counties audited had adequate written election security policies or guidance from the Secretary of State’s office. The KSSoS office owes Kansans a complete and detailed explanation with a clear and comprehensive action plan to immediately fix these glaring election integrity problems. Concrete and verifiable solutions to these flaws are the only way to restore confidence in our Kansas elections. Our way of life depends on safe and secure elections, and this report pointed out that our elections are not as secure as we had been promised. The Kansas Legislature and the Legislative Post Audit Committee should be commended for taking up the crucial and complex issue of Election Integrity. The KSLPA report is both an important first step and initial outline for reform. CLICK HERE FOR KSLPA ELECTION INTEGRITY REPORT CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE KSLPA RUNDOWN     Conservatively Speaking by KSGOP Chairman Mike Brown In the style of Judith Viorst's delightful rhyme, here's a rendition of a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day featuring Joe Biden, his family, and the events that unfolded: Joe Biden woke with a frown, A day of troubles had come to town. His son Hunter, caught in strife, Cocaine allegations clouded their life. At the White House, chaos brewed, Whispers spread, the mood subdued. Meanwhile, his grand daughter's cheer, Was marred by a library mishap, oh dear! To Camp David, Biden sought retreat, But even there, no rest, no sweet. The Supreme Court's ruling, unforeseen, Added to the woes, an unpleasant scene. News of a social media ban, Made Biden's patience wear thin, began. Gaffes and stumbles followed his way, Critics took aim, what a dismay! It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, For Joe Biden, caught in a disarray. From Hunter's troubles to the White House strife, This day brought challenges to his life. But let's remember, even on days so tough, We all stumble and life can be rough. So, here's hoping tomorrow will be kind, And tomorrow's tomorrow will bring a Conservative Republican to top of mind. America is simply the ideal that tomorrow is but another chance to be ever-better, and freedom is but the vehicle delivering the opportunity. Donate Now CLICK HERE     About KSGOP Donate 1776 Club KSGOP Leadership   Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4157 Topeka KS 66604 Phone: 785-234-3456 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kansas.gop   Kansas Republican Party | P.O. 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