Vote on Kansas health chief allows GOP to air COVID beefs

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Republicans’ frustrations over how Kansas handled the coronavirus pandemic are complicating Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s efforts to keep her top public health administrator in place. The state Senate health committee made no recommendation Thursday on whether former hospital system executive Janet Stanek should be confirmed as head of the state health department. The full, GOP-controlled Senate still will vote on her appointment, but the committee’s move signals that some conservatives are opposing her confirmation to show displeasure with Kelly’s administration. It wasn’t yet clear how much trouble Stanek’s confirmation faces in the full Senate. She would have to step down if the Senate rejected her appointment. Stanek declined comment.