Some Kansas Lawmakers Forfeit OT

Some Kansas lawmakers have have decided to turn down additional pay as the Legislature heads past its 90-day session limit.

The Topeka Capital Journal reports that day 90 was Thursday, which means legislators will go past their limit, as they have in 32 of the past 40 years. Last year’s session went 99 days. But each extra day of the session is estimated to cost taxpayers $45,000.

A list provided by Legislative Administrative Services shows that five of 40 senators and 17 of 125 House members have declined their legislative salaries after 90 days. Two of them – Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka, and Rep. Shanti Gandhi, R-Topeka – also have declined their per diem.

Rep. Brandon Whipple, D-Wichita, told constituents he’d donate the rest of his salary to charity.