kansas governor sam brownback thursday shrug political backlash budget woes stir aggressive tax-cutting policies home look forward new role trump administration chief defender global religious tolerance two-term republican address topics news conference topeka day white house announce would soon nominate u.s. ambassador large international religious freedom state department post brownback previously represent home state u.s. house representatives senate sponsor 1998 law create diplomatic post aspire fill international religious freedom go wrong way get bad around world good brownback tell reporters affect faiths affect religions one brownback notable foray realm faith governor come 2015 issue executive order protect religious convictions clergy kansas begin comply landmark rule u.s. supreme court legalize same-sex marriage gubernatorial legacy however largely define 2012 legislation champion roll back tax rat help stimulate kansas economy deep cut shrink state coffers cause kansas miss revenue target turn state cautionary tale fiscal mismanagement amaze tax cut do midwestern state 2012 dominant tax discussion america last five years brownback say thursday mostly defend tax strategy though concede result spend cut could carry artfully dozen conservative ally state legislature lose seat november election see political repudiation brownback fiscal policies early year chamber republican-controlled legislature vote raise tax override brownback attempt veto measure republican state representative melissa rooker separate interview reuters call brownback tax policy unmitigated disaster lieutenant governor jeff colyer physician previously serve legislature would succeed brownback resign assume diplomatic post unclear soon brownback might move washington d.c. meantime stand home low brownback rank second-least popular governor unite state 66 percent disapproval rat accord nonpartisan political research company morning consult kansas governor tap religious ambassador reflect legacy