Unemployed Kansans may be eligible to receive an additional 14 weeks of unemployment benefits under legislation signed last week by President Barack Obama.

“This action was desperately needed as thousands of Kansans are expected to exhaust all available benefits by the end of the year,” said state Labor Secretary Jim Garner.

Individuals who think they may be eligible for the extended benefits are encouraged to visit the Kansas Department of Labor website at www.dol.ks.gov or the Unemployment Benefits website, www.getkansasbenefits.com.

12:09 p.m.

A state commission on public schools Monday said any more cuts to education would be unacceptable.

The 2010 Commission approved motions to emphasize that public school education was the most important function of state government and that money matters when it comes to raising the level of student achievement.

“We’ve got a whole generation who will be negatively impacted … by the idiots and fools in Washington and Topeka that have been making policy,” said Dennis Jones, a member of the commission.

“It’s time the Legislature take proactive steps to ensure that education funding is solid and consistent,” he said.

A revenue shortfall has produced four rounds of budget cuts, including cuts to public schools. Gov. Mark Parkinson has promised more cuts before the end of the month, and even without any action schools are facing further funding losses because of increased costs due to higher enrollment, decrease in property values, and an increased number of students eligible for free lunches.

Commission Chair Rochelle Chronister said lawmakers need to “step up to the plate in the bad times and enhance that revenue in order to ensure that education is delivered to the kids.”

She noted that a report by the Kansas Department of revenue showed tax cuts approved by the state since 1995 have shorted the treasury $1.2 billion per year.

Republican legislative leaders have vowed to fight any kind of tax increase when the 2010 legislative session starts in January.