Kan. gov. defends departing commerce secretary

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson says a key business-recruiting effort wasn't influenced by his commerce secretary's pursuit of the same job in Missouri.

Parkinson said Friday that he knew that Commerce Secretary Dave Kerr had been contacted by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon before announcing the state's last offer in negotiations over Kansas City, Kan., project.

Kansas is trying to attract an office complex for Missouri-based Cerner Corp. and a major league soccer stadium. Some legislators question whether Parkinson's administration has been aggressive enough.

Those lawmakers were upset to learn Thursday that Kerr will become director of Missouri's Department of Economic Development next month.

Parkinson faced questions as he announced that Bill Thornton, a Kansas Board of Regents member, would take Kerr's place.