Kansas Senate eschews budget debate, passes scrap theft bill

Author: Paul Ploumis05 Jun 2015 Last updated at 14:10:05 GMT

KANSAS CITY (Scrap Monster): The Kansas Senate did not discuss budget issues on the 105th day of the Legislature's annual session but did act on bills dealing with scrap metal thefts and deer antlers.

Minority Leader Anthony Hensley criticized the chamber's focus Thursday. The Topeka Democrat said in a statement that not addressing budget issues was disgraceful.

Nonessential state workers could be furloughed if a budget isn't approved by Sunday.

This year's session is now the second longest ever, surpassed only by 2002's 107 days.

One bill would increase penalties for thieves doing more than $5,000 in damage when stealing scrap metal. The Senate's 37-1 vote sent it to the House.

The other bill was rejected 25-11 and would have rewritten a law on how the state disposes of antlers from poached deer.

Courtesy: www.kshb.com