Proposed bill halts pay for legislators after session ends

The chairwoman of the Kansas Senate's budget committee has introduced a measure that would halt a legislative per diem an subsistence pay after Thursday, May 12 -- the 90th day of the legislative session.

Sen. Bob Marshall, R-Fort Scott, said the bill filed by Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedwick, is a "grandstand move" because the law does not allow for it. "I like Carolyn McGinn. She's doing a good job. It's more of a grandstand move because the law says you can't do that," Marshall said.

"Obviously, the state is in big financial trouble, but they'll have the money," to make it through the session, Marshall said. "We have to get a budget and I think you're talking about one day, or maybe two at the most. We might run into Saturday. We get paid through Thursday."

In a news release, McGinn said Kansans elected lawmakers to come to Topeka and get their work done within the 90-day session. "For those concerned with balancing the budget and -- as much as is possible -- setting good public policy, we need to get serious about finishing our work and going home," she said in the release.

"Every day the legislature is in session, it costs the taxpayers over $60,000," McGinn continued. "We do not have extra money to pay for legislators' inaction. That money could be better spent in the classroom or serving our most vulnerable citizens, if legislators get their work done on time."

The Senate Ways and Means Committee plans to work the bill on Monday at a time yet to be determined.

Rep. Caryn Tyson, R-Parker, agrees with McGinn's proposal and said the speaker has challenged that if legislators stay past 90 days, they should return what they make for the days they go over.

"If we don't get it done, then I don't have a problem with that bill," Tyson said.

She heard on Monday that the Senate Ways and Means Committee had stripped a House bill and put a budget in it that they will bring to a vote.

If they get enough votes for it, that would be the Senate budget. That budget would be sent to the House.

Another rumor is that the Senate is threatening to go home after they pass a budget.

"What the process is is the governor proposes a budget, the House votes on one and the Senate votes on one. Usually, if they don't agree, they go to conference," take the results of the conference back to each chamber and each chamber votes on it, Tyson said.

Marshall said he's not sure it can be finished within the designated time frame.

"Herculean efforts have been made before," he said. "What they did today, they met at 11 o'clock. It was not productive at all and I don't see it happening before Wednesday night."

It takes two days to get the budget printed. He noted that many high school graduations are taking place Saturday, but he's not saying decisions will be made with that in mind.

"I think we're going to have to be in here Friday," Marshall said.

Gov. Sam Brownback is urging legislators to complete their work and recognized them for their accomplishments so far.

"I am grateful for the Kansas legislature's hard work this session. There still is important work to accomplish, but state lawmakers can and should complete their work within the 90-day session," he said in a statement. "I will continue working with legislative leaders and budget negotiators to finalize an agreement that supports economic development and serves basic needs. Cutting $800 million in spending is challenging, but we'll get it done and our state will be better for it. It will help create the right conditions for economic recovery and job growth."

As a side note, Marshall said currently, except for legislative leaders and committee chairs, no one has a secretarial staff. They were let go before the 90 days were up. "That's frustrating especially because now you're getting down to the end of the session. You want to get out and write wrap-up notes. You have to set up things expeditiously. I'd rather have the secretaries for the last three days than for the first three days of the session," Marshall said. "This is a psychological ploy, or some kind of ploy to get the bill signed and get out of here. But the leadership has their staff."

Tyson agreed if cuts were going to take place, secretaries weren't the right place to look. She said those staff members need those jobs and lawmakers could use the help. "Right now there's so much to finish up, or follow up on," Tyson said.

"I do know a couple of secretaries have stayed on" and some are being paid out of legislators' pockets, Tyson said.