TOPEKA – The Legislative Research Department reports the number of Kansans who are waiting to see if they qualify for unemployment benefits is up considerably from last year. The Wichita Eagle reports that the backlog is at 6,500 Kansans, or than more than double the number of people three months ago and four times more than last year. Democratic Rep. Jim Ward, Wichita, said the Brownback Administration laid off too many appeals judges as part of a cost-cutting plan. Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, said the Kansas Department of Labor is being reorganized to make the office more efficient. He told the Eagle that he agrees the waiting list is too long but blames his predecessor, Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson for the delays.
Wednesday, Dec. 21, 9 p.m.
