Kansas House Has Plan to Avoid Shutdown

(AP) – The Kansas House has approved a measure that could potentially prevent the furlough of thousands of state employees if a balanced budget is not passed.

The chamber voted unanimously to approve the bill, which would deem all state employees essential. Absent such a measure or without a deal by Sunday on taxes and spending for the fiscal year beginning July 1, the state is not authorized to pay nonessential state employees next week.

The bill must be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor to take effect.

Republican Rep. Virgil Peck of Tyro said he voted for the bill despite the fact he would like to see more cuts to state spending, including potential layoffs. But he said no legislators wanted to see furloughs due to Legislature’s inaction.