TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas agencies sent furlough notices to thousands of state employees deemed nonessential Friday as legislators remained deadlocked over how to balance the budget and avert a partial government shutdown.
Without a deal on taxes and spending for the fiscal year beginning July 1, the state is not authorized to pay nonessential state employees next week.
At least 24,200 employees received furlough notices Friday, and Kansas’ largest state employees union said it would file legal action should the furloughs be enacted.
The House on Wednesday approved a proposed budget that would leave the state with a $406 million shortfall, but GOP lawmakers are sharply divided over raising taxes to fill the rest of the gap. Unlike the federal government, states are required to pass budgets without deficits.
The impasse has driven the lawmakers into overtime, making the current session the second-longest in state history.
The looming possibility of a partial government shutdown is “like some nightmare,” said Democratic Rep. Tom Sawyer of Wichita.
