Topeka ? Elected leaders have made sweeping cuts to state government during the past few months that have resulted in thousands of lost positions in schools, shuttered correctional facilities and a reduction in social service programs.

It also has sent agencies searching under the seat cushions for spare change to try to keep the budget balanced.

Reductions in travel, purchases and hiring have become the norm as officials keep a wary eye on the struggling Kansas economy and tax revenues.

Some have argued that some of the savings may be penny-wise and pound foolish.

Kansas Department of Transportation recently reduced the maximum annual reimbursement for personal protection equipment from $250 to $150 in an attempt to save money.

Jane Carter, executive director of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, said the decision will make work sites less safe.

“Although we all know times are tough, once again state employees are being used to make ends meet, this time with great risk to the worker,” Carter said.

The State Board of Education last week decided to cancel its tradition of holding one of its monthly board meetings in another district. Board members said while the meetings in local districts are often informative, canceling the visit would save both staff and travel time for the board and the hosting district.

And while legislators often say attending out-of-state conferences with their colleagues is a way to find out about new ideas, they have restricted that travel.

Eight legislators traveled to the American Legislative Exchange Council conference in Atlanta, and nine people — eight legislators and one staff member — are going to the National Conference of State Legislatures meeting in Philadelphia this week.

No one who is going is eligible to be reimbursed for their travel by the state unless they serve as a chair, vice chair or executive committee member on the organizations’ various panels. In past years, dozens of legislators have gone to these conferences on the state’s dime.

But an in-state conference apparently will be well attended by Kansas lawmakers. The regional meeting of the Council of State Governments will take place in Overland Park from Aug. 9-12.

More than 80 Kansas legislators have signed up to attend, and each is eligible to receive his or her legislative pay and per diem. Legislators receive $88.66 per day that they are on the state’s clock, and $109 in daily expenses. The state also will reimburse for registration, which is $300 per person.

But lawmakers have reduced the number of meeting days for interim committees.