Gov. Kelly is facing increasing pressure from companies, business groups and prominent Republicans to have Kansas stop paying an extra $300 a week in benefits to unemployed workers

Lawrence, KS – According to the statement, the top three Republicans in the Kansas House called on Kelly to end the additional benefits.

Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., Speaker Blaine Finch and Majority Leader Dan Hawkins issued a joint statement calling the extra benefits counterproductive.

They did so in response to a letter Tuesday to Kelly from the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and 180 organizations arguing that many businesses forced to restrict operations during the coronavirus pandemic now are having problems hiring enough workers to return to full capacity.

The signers included businesses, trade associations, other groups and even a few public agencies.

The extra benefits are part of the $1.9 trillion in federal coronavirus relief approved by Congress in March and are set to expire in September.

More than 20 states with Republican governors have opted to end the benefits early, including neighboring Missouri. Kelly said last week that she is reviewing the issue.