KANSAS

Did you get one of them? A notice that you’ve been furloughed—you and 24,199 other non-essential Kansas government workers—at least until our legislators (and the governor) pass some kind of legislation to help you out, or approve a budget?

If your workplace is controlled by Governor Brownback, which includes state schools, state medical facilities, and many other state agencies, you can kiss your paycheck goodbye until further notice. To bad if you need the money to buy food or pay the rent.

And what does it do to your self-esteem—to be categorized as ‘non-essential?’ Kansas University Chancellor Gray-Little said that term has nothing to do with the value of an employee or position, so that should make you feel better.

Dollars and cents-wise, your paycheck has to do with taxes. Democrats want to raise taxes, moderate Republicans want to broaden the tax base, and right-wing Republicans want to cut taxes. It may be more complicated than that, but no matter. Our elected officials have to find a way to fix the state’s $400,000,000 deficit.

And by the way, did you know that in Kansas, ninety days are scheduled for legislative sessions? Each extra day costs the state $40,000 and Saturday was the 107^th day. That’s $680,000 that could be used to pay some of you non-essential workers.