Topeka ? Kansas legislative leaders have announced a series of cost-saving moves, including furloughs of lawmakers and their staffs on Fridays through January.

The measures were announced as the House and Senate opened the 2010 session on Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, an Independence Republican, says not holding sessions on Fridays will save the Legislature approximately $500,000.

With neither chamber holding Friday sessions this month, legislators and their staffs won’t be paid for those days.

The leadership made an exception for members of the Senate Ways and Means and House Appropriations committees, which are write the state budget.