Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and David Toland, secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce, are working to retool state government’s investment strategy to expand the economy. It’s a difficult task made more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Kelly says Kansas is better positioned to handle the economic fallout because of actions she took early in her administration, including her veto of tax cuts.
• As the mother of two girls, the governor says, “I’m used to a lot of backtalk and have figured out how to deal with that over the years.” Still, she is concerned the Legislature’s actions have handcuffed her ability to respond to the pandemic.
• Toland’s agency is working on a plan to address economic growth in Kansas by focusing on talent, innovation, broadband internet access, advanced manufacturing, animal health, and logistics and distribution.