Kansas Governor Laura Kelly Signs Czech Trade Deal and Appoints New Revenue Secretary

Governor Laura Kelly and Lieutenant Governor David Toland announced that Kansas and the Czech Republic have signed a Statement of Mutual Cooperation. The agreement aims to expand collaboration in aerospace, agriculture, advanced manufacturing and nanotechnologies, linking Kansas businesses and universities with Czech partners. Czech Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Jiří Brodský highlighted the deepening ties and the presence of a large Czech‑American community in Kansas.

In a separate announcement, Kelly named Ryan Wright‑Spain as Acting Secretary of the Kansas Department of Revenue following the retirement of Mark Burghart. Wright‑Spain, previously the governor’s chief operating officer and former deputy chief of staff, will oversee the agency’s fiscal and operational responsibilities. He cited his experience stabilizing the state’s unemployment system during the COVID‑19 pandemic and pledged to maintain high‑quality service for taxpayers.