By Cliff Judy (WICHITA, Kan.)
Local court employees are worried about what furloughs will do to their wallets and the court system.
Many Kansas court employees have to take an unpaid day off the next three Fridays. Another furlough Friday will follow in May. Some worry that could strain an already significant workload.
Still, employees say four unpaid days is better than several weeks, which state lawmakers had considered. Benita Chaplin supervises in the Records Section at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. She says she's never seen a furlough in 25 years at the courthouse.
"We are very appreciative to not having to face the 26 days," says Chaplin. "However, four days for some people who are working paycheck-to-paycheck or working two jobs, it's still going to be devastating."
Courthouses will still be open for what the state's calling "critical" business. This includes safety issues and criminal first appearances.
