Kansas governor names Topeka attorney as new revenue chief

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has named a Topeka attorney who has specialized in tax cases as her new acting secretary of revenue.

Kelly announced Tuesday that Mark Burghart would lead the Department of Revenue. He replaces interim Secretary Mark Beshears, who took over the agency temporarily when the new Democratic governor took office last month.

Burghart previously worked as a legislative researcher and as the Department of Revenue’s chief counsel for seven years, starting in 1987. His appointment as secretary will require state Senate confirmation.

Kelly also announced that two interim Cabinet secretaries plan to stay in their jobs. They are Julie Lorenz at the Department of Transportation and Lee Norman at the Department of Health and Environment. The governor is asking the Senate to confirm their appointments.