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Kansas legislators say session proved to be a difficult one
Increasing the state’s minimum wage, which is the lowest in the country, also was considered a victory by some legislators. Again, the sentiment was not shared by all.
The state minimum wage of $2.65 an hour will increase to match the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour on Jan. 1. Companies with less than $500,000 in annual revenue that don’t engage in interstate commerce are exempt from the federal minimum wage. The move is expected to affect about 20,000 Kansas workers.
“I think it was an embarrassment to the state,” Grant said of the state minimum wage.
Menghini said that was a highlight for her.
“We like to boast about our great work ethic, then we don’t necessarily reward it with a great wage,” Menghini said.
Gatewood said the minimum wage increase was long overdue.
Marshall said he doesn’t think the minimum-wage increase would help many workers.
“Workers who were not making the (federal) minimum wage probably will lose their jobs,” Marshall said.
The area legislators all said they were disappointed that there was no action on legislation to lower the minimum investment for casino managers and reduces the revenue-sharing provisions for dog tracks with slot machines. They said they had hope that there would be action next session.
Kelsey Smith Act
Gatewood said another positive measure was the adoption of the Kelsey Smith Act, requiring cell-phone companies to release information about where a cell phone has traveled during police searches for missing people. In the case of the murdered Overland Park teenager, her parents and police tried for days to get the information from the cell-phone company.
Gov. Mark Parkinson became governor during the last month of the session, after the resignation of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to join the Obama administration. The area legislators gave him high marks for his performance so far. They said they were pleased that he acknowledged in his Pittsburg appearance on Monday that Southeast Kansas and Western Kansas had been neglected by Topeka.
“He’s not worried about building political capital,” Grant said. “He’s not interested in running for election. He’s just in there to do the best job he can for Kansas.”
Other measures
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