Kansas gets a new commerce secretary

The Kansas Senate has confirmed Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s commerce secretary despite vocal opposition from some Republicans and the state’s most influential anti-abortion group.

The vote yesterday (Monday) on Secretary David Toland was 23-14.

Toland previously was the executive director of the Iola-based economic development group Thrive Allen County.

Kansans for Life opposed him because of small grants to Thrive Allen County from a fund named for the late abortion provider Dr. George Tiller.