Gov. Brownback (Ks) Talks About Regents, KNI, KPERS, & Unemployment Bill

Anti-union bill

Brownback seemed to support House members who are wanting to add a bill opposed by unions to legislation dealing with the state’s payback of a federal loan that provided unemployment insurance benefits. He said the loan payback legislation was needed.

“Let’s see what it takes to get it through the legislative process,” he said.
The issue was at the center of a tense House-Senate conference committee meeting earlier Thursday.

Legislators say they need to pass a bill setting up a way for the state to repay to the federal government $171 million in loans made last year to cover benefits for unemployed Kansans.

But House Republicans, led by Rep. Anthony Brown, of Eudora, want to add to that measure to another bill that would prohibit unions from using funds deducted from members’ paychecks for campaign purposes.

The Senate’s lead negotiator on the unemployment issue, Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, also supports the anti-union bill, but said she doubted it would pass in the Senate.
Brown replied that the House “was prepared to walk away” from the underlying bill that deals with paying off the unemployment insurance loan.

Wagle said that would result in a massive tax increase for businesses and federal penalties.

“We’re going to have to find a way to solve the family feud,” she said. Brown responded, “The ball is in your court. We’re waiting on your chamber.”

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/may/05/brownback-talks-about-regents-kni-kpers-and-unempl/