Parkinson praises stimulus plan for protecting 1000 public safety jobs

? Gov. Mark Parkinson said Friday that federal stimulus funds have protected more than 1,000 public safety jobs.

“Not only is this stemming the rising tide of unemployment, it’s keeping the streets of Kansas safe,” Parkinson said.

Twenty-seven state and local agencies will receive $11.5 million in justice assistance grants, Parkinson’s office said.

The funds will help retain all or a portion of 112 existing positions, create five more, and reduce anticipated furlough days of approximately 1,484 court employees statewide, he said.