TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two bills that could limit public employee protections face key votes in the Kansas Legislature as lawmakers handle a packed agenda. The House is taking a final vote today (WED) on a bill to allow state agencies to remove civil service protections for new workers and employees changing positions. The Senate is voting on a bill rewriting rules dealing with teacher contracts. The measure would automatically terminate all teacher salaries at the end of their current term and require re-negotiating them from scratch. It also would narrow the items negotiated by teacher unions and school boards. Supporters say the measures would create flexibility and allow public agencies to operate more like businesses. Critics see the bills as attacks on teachers and government workers. Both chambers are set to vote on numerous measures.
