Wagle hires lobbyist to serve as communications director

Senate President Susan Wagle has hired a lobbyist to become her new director of policy and communications.

Wagle’s office announced Tuesday that it had hired Paje Resner, a Wichita native and Washburn University graduate. She has worked for the lobbying firm Hein Governmental Consulting since 2012.

One of Resner’s clients at the firm was Propylon, an Irish technology company that has been paid about $14 million by the state since 2007. It was hired to build an integrated software program for the Legislature. The company became one of Resner’s clients in August.

Wagle, R-Wichita, has harshly criticized Proplyon in recent weeks and blamed the company’s software for delays during the recent legislative session. Propylon’s contract is under review by the Legislative Coordinating Council, which includes Wagle as a member.

During her tenure at Hein Governmental Consulting, Resner also worked as a lobbyist for the Kansas Dental Association, tobacco giant Reynolds America, the Motion Picture Association of America and Uncork Kansas, a group that has unsuccessfully pushed to allow liquor and full-strength beer sales at grocery stores.

“Paje brings an extensive knowledge of the policy, process and people in state government and I look forward to utilizing her expertise to tackle the challenges in the coming session,” Wagle said.

Resner also has worked as an intern for Gov. Sam Brownback and was state chair for the Kansas Federation of College Republicans. Wagle’s previous communications director left in March for a job at the U.S. Senate.

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 3:43 PM with the headline "Wagle hires lobbyist to serve as communications director."