Kansas tax dollars were used to help Governor Sebelius attend the 2007 Bilderberg Group Conference in Instanbul, Turkey that ran from May 31 to June 4 this year. Part of Sebelius’ travel expenses, including her airfare, were picked up by the Bilderberg Group but taxpayers needed to chip in to help her pay her room and meal costs while staying at the Ritz Carlton in Istanbul.

Seth Bundy in the governor’s press office said, “She did go in her official capacity as governor…” Sebelius helped lead a forum on consensus building with Texas Governor Rick Perry at the private meeting held as part of this event.

This story was first broken in Kansas August 27 by Earl Glynn whose website and blog, www.kansasmeadowlark.com, is a must read for internet aficionados following state issues in the Sunflower state.

Bundy said that the Kansas City Star had submitted an open records request to find out how much Kansas taxpayers paid to help Governor Sebelius attend this event. The KC Star was told that this event cost taxpayers $1,274.00.

This is an example of dubious spending that is all too common at all levels of government today. One reaction to this news came immediately to mind, “Who does Sebelius think she is, a member of Congress?”

The real question is, “What benefit do Kansans get for this sort of travel?” Elected officials do travel a lot and travel spending always needs a careful examination. Former state school board member Connie Morris, a conservative Republican, was blasted extensively in the mainstream Kansas press for traveling to an education conference in Washington at taxpayers’ expense. Earlier she had been blasted for traveling at taxpayer expense to an education conference in Miami, Florida. Morris responded in that case by paying for that Florida trip.

Governor Sebelius has regularly traveled extensively, including international travel and trips to Washington, D.C. in her official capacity. While some travel is justifiable, taxpayers should not be having to pay for these Turkey trip costs. Governor Sebelius should follow Connie Morris’ example and pay for it herself. Kansas taxpayers should not get stuck with this bill.