Abortion flap could cost Kansas governor her commerce chief

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly answers questions from reporters as she announces her veto of a Republican tax relief bill during a news conference, Monday, March 25, 2019, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kansas. The Democratic governor said the tax bill would have created a "self-inflicted budget crisis." (AP Photo/John Hanna)

TOPEKA, Kan. — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly could be forced to replace Kansas’ top business development official because of an abortion controversy.

Acting state Commerce Secretary David Toland has no role in regulating abortion providers. Yet he is under fire because of two small grants received by a local economic development group he previously ran.

The grants were from a fund named for the late Dr. George Tiller. He was a Kansas physician who performed late-term abortions.

The Republican-dominated Senate is expected to vote on his appointment next week, and it refuses to confirm him, he will have to step down from the Cabinet post he’s held since Kelly took office in January.

Some GOP lawmakers already wanted to oust Toland and now have the backing of the state’s most influential anti-abortion group.

John Hanna, The Associated Press