palani
7th June 2015, 06:43 PM
Time to return to Kansas .... out of Oz.
http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-senate-passes-plan-for-blocking-state-furloughs/33436606
Kansas lawmakers pass bill to block state worker furloughs
Measure deems all state employees essential
Kansas legislators have approved a bill aimed at preventing a partial state government shutdown by blocking planned furloughs for thousands of workers.
The Senate approved the bill on a 39-0 vote Saturday only hours after the House passed it, 106-0. The bill declares all state workers essential for the next few weeks, allowing them to at least stay on the job.
The measure goes next to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. Brownback issued a statement saying that he would sign the bill. But he also chided lawmakers.
"It is past time for the Legislature to act," Brownback said. "If the Legislature does not pass a budget and tax policy, it leaves the state with no authority to disburse funds, including salaries. SB 11 means that employees will work without the guarantee of being paid for that work. That is potentially in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act."
Republicans in the GOP-dominated Legislature are deeply divided over raising taxes to close a projected budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
State agencies and state universities sent furlough notices Friday to at least 24,200 workers deemed nonessential. Without a budget for the next fiscal year, the state had no authority to pay employees for work starting Sunday.
http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-senate-passes-plan-for-blocking-state-furloughs/33436606
Kansas lawmakers pass bill to block state worker furloughs
Measure deems all state employees essential
Kansas legislators have approved a bill aimed at preventing a partial state government shutdown by blocking planned furloughs for thousands of workers.
The Senate approved the bill on a 39-0 vote Saturday only hours after the House passed it, 106-0. The bill declares all state workers essential for the next few weeks, allowing them to at least stay on the job.
The measure goes next to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. Brownback issued a statement saying that he would sign the bill. But he also chided lawmakers.
"It is past time for the Legislature to act," Brownback said. "If the Legislature does not pass a budget and tax policy, it leaves the state with no authority to disburse funds, including salaries. SB 11 means that employees will work without the guarantee of being paid for that work. That is potentially in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act."
Republicans in the GOP-dominated Legislature are deeply divided over raising taxes to close a projected budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
State agencies and state universities sent furlough notices Friday to at least 24,200 workers deemed nonessential. Without a budget for the next fiscal year, the state had no authority to pay employees for work starting Sunday.