Kansas legislators explore options for state worker raises amid tight budget

Senators dove deeper into the topic of state employee raises Tuesday morning, even as some warned harsh fiscal realities make higher compensation a challenging prospect.

Multiple members of the Senate budget committee voiced support for boosting the pay of workers who haven’t seen increases in years, but some hesitated amid uncertainty about where the money would come from.

“I think they deserve a pay raise,” Sen. Dan Kerschen said, “but if we don’t have the money, I don’t know where we’re going to get it. We’ll wait to see tomorrow.”

Kerschen, R-Garden Plain, was referring to an anticipated third day of discussion on the matter as the Ways and Means Committee tackles budget matters for fiscal 2018 and 2019.

Read more: http://cjonline.com/news/state-government/2017-03-21/kansas-legislators-explore-options-state-worker-raises-amid-tight#