Program pays for ideas that save state money

Topeka — State employees didn’t get much of a pay raise in the just-completed budget — 1.5 percent — but they can try to boost their income by recommending ways the state could save money.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Thursday touted the State Employee Suggestion Program during a brief ceremony in which she signed a proclamation honoring state employees.

Under the program, state workers whose money-saving ideas are implemented can receive 10 percent of the overall savings, up to $37,500.

Amy Burgoon, an employee with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, will receive $683 for an idea on saving postage that Sebelius said would save taxpayers $6,837 per year.

Above, state employees Jeni Trimble, left, and Jennifer Vandevelde, center, both with the Department of Health and Environment, and Janet Starnes, right, with the Department of Administration, applaud at the end of Sebelius’ speech.

More information on the program can be received from state human resources departments or on the Internet at da.state.ks.us/suggest.htm.

Academics

KU spring classes end

Classes are over. The cramming has begun.

Kansas University students completed their spring semester classes Thursday. No classes or final exams are scheduled for today, referred to as Stop Day.

Finals begin Monday and run through Friday. Students living in campus housing are required to move out within 24 hours of their last final.

Commencement for KU begins at 2:30 p.m. May 18.

Fund-raiser

Brick campaign kicks off at KU’s Dole Institute

A sale of personalized bricks is the latest fund-raiser for the Dole Institute of Politics building under construction at Kansas University.

Officials are hoping to sell 2,000 personalized, cream-colored bricks at $250 each to place at the entrance of the institute. Bricks offer three lines of text with 14 characters per line for a name or message. The “Brick-by-Brick” campaign will help commemorate World War II veterans, members of the so-called “Greatest Generation.”

The Dole Institute is scheduled to be dedicated during three days of events July 20-22.

For more information or to buy a brick, call 749-3911 or visit www.doleinstitute.org.

Courts

Attempted murder case delayed pending report

The trial was delayed for a Lawrence man accused of shooting a woman four times Nov. 5 inside her east Lawrence home, after a judge Thursday ordered the defendant to undergo a mental evaluation.

Antonio Floyd, 19, will be transferred to the Larned State Security Hospital. His attorney said Floyd had reported hearing voices.

Floyd faces felony charges, including attempted murder and aggravated intimidation of a witness.

Prosecutors claim he shot a woman who he thought was set to testify against him in a federal drug case. Floyd is already serving a 17-year sentence from the drug case. Trial on the attempted murder case was pushed back until early September.