Department of Labor report shows opportunities in health care

The demand for health care workers continues, according to the recently released 2009 Kansas Job Vacancy Survey.

Kansas Labor Secretary Jim Garner touted the benefits of the survey as “a valuable resource to Kansans searching for work in the state, and to those trying to choose a career path.”

The demand for workers overall was pretty low, however, due to the recession. In the second quarter of 2009, the survey estimated there were 25,781 job vacancies in the state at a time when Kansas averaged 102,305 unemployed workers — an average of four unemployed people for every reported job vacancy.

The complete survey is posted at www.dol.ks.gov.

Sloan discusses wind energy issues

Rep. Tom Sloan, R-Lawrence, recently met with officials with the U.S. Department of Energy to discuss wind energy and electric transmission issues.

Sloan, a member of the National Wind Coordinating Committee, and DOE staff discussed issues that have arisen with wind development and transmission, such as cost allocation. “The absence of congressional action on energy issues does not have to mean a lack of action by the DOE or states,” he said.

Rally draws attention to workers’ comp

More than 100 people rallied on Friday at the Statehouse in support of two bills to increase caps on workers’ compensation benefits. Senate Bill 258, which was introduced last year, would require a cost-of-living adjustment on the limit for a worker who has suffered a permanent total disability, which is currently $125,000 and has been in place since 1987. Senate Bill 547, which was introduced this year, would increase the weekly compensation paid to injured workers who have suffered a permanent or total disability. Business groups oppose the bills.

Quote of the week

“People are dying. People are becoming ill. They are asking you to help them.”

— Rep. Barbara Bollier, R-Mission Hills, in support of a public indoor smoking ban

What’s next

Budget committee report on higher education before House Appropriations Committee, 9 a.m. today, Room 346-South.

Kansas Health Policy Authority report on short-term and long-term alternatives for Medicaid, before Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, 1:30 p.m. Monday, Room 546-South.

Presentation by Kansas University Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little before House Vision 2020 Committee, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Room 785, Docking Building.